LAMBING. 593 



are about to be castrated. Short tails are of much conse- 

 quence when thej are attacked by the disorder called pinding. 



While ewes are nursing, the pasture should be good, and 

 they should be kept on the same feeding ground until their 

 lambs are weaned. 



It is of importance that the shepherd should be almost 

 constantly with his flock during the lambing season, so as 

 to assist such ewes as require it in cases of difficult partu- 

 rition. In this office he should act with great gentleness, 

 and watch the times when nature is acting her part to dis- 

 charge the lamb. 



When lambs are weakly, the shepherd should hold them 

 up to the teats of their dam to si:ck. And in cases where 

 the dam dies, he should endeavour to get another ewe to 

 adopt the orphan lamb ; and when he cannot succeed in 

 this, should carry it home, as well as any weakly ones, 

 so that they may receive his fostering care, or that of his 

 family. This may be done by drawing off the milk from 

 the udders of ewes that have an abundance of it, or from 

 ewes which have lost their lambs. Lambs seldom attempt 

 to eat grass for fourteen days, and during this time their 

 whole sustenance consists of milk. 



It not unfrequently happens that lambs die from hunger, 

 in consequence of their dams refusing to suckle them. 

 When this is the case, the poor lamb will be seen running 

 about, and following any sheep it may come near, while it 

 utters a mournful bleat. When it attempts to suck its dam, 

 she will run off from it to a distance. When this is noticed 

 the shepherd should examine the ewe, when he will find 

 that sore nipples, or some uther disease is the cause of her 

 want of maternal care. If he discovers that sore nipples is 

 the reason she deserts her young, they should be anointed 

 with some emollient ointment to heal them : such as com- 



4g 



