No. 1.] SHEEP TOPICS. 401 



portion of it enters tlie lungs, where it will cause death much more 

 quickly and surely than can the stomach worms themselves. 



Weaning may be done as soon as the ewe shows signs of a very much 

 decreased flow of milk. It is not necessary to wean winter lambs at 

 all, but those kept for later markets may be weaned easily and without 

 much loss at from three to four months. Gradual weaning is best, 

 instead of taking away the ewes suddenly. Lambs that before weaning 

 have been fed the mixture of corn, bran and oil meal suggested above 

 may be rapidly fattened on a mixture of two parts corn and one part 

 linseed meal. If feeding for fall market, begin early enough to have 

 the lambs well fattened before the pastures become so scant as to 

 necessitate a change to dry roughage. 



The ram to be used should possess good mutton type and be an im- 

 pressive appearing individual, showing the leading characteristics of 

 his breed. For some time previous to the breeding season he should be 

 well fed on grain which is not too fattening. A highly fattened ram is 

 poorer for breeding purposes than one in rather thin condition, and is 

 not at all sure in such a condition. A standard grain ration is made up 

 of oats and bran, fed rather lightly. Such feeds seem to improve the 

 ram's condition, so that he is eager and sm'e and in full vigor, — con- 

 ditions much to be desired. It is also essential in preparing him for 

 the breeding season that he should have plenty of exercise. Good 

 feeding without exercise spoils his usefulness, so that plenty of room 

 for exercise should be provided under all circumstances. He may be 

 housed during the day and allowed the run of a good pasture during 

 the night, if one well protected from dogs is available. 



The number of ewes a ram will serve in a single season, and insure 

 good results, is of course dependent upon his age, vigor and manage- 

 ment. A vigorous ram, allowed to run loose in a large flock, will no 

 doubt serve more lambs than is best for his own constitution and for 

 the lambs to follow. An average mature ram, running at large with 

 tiie flock during breeding season, should not be expected to serve more 

 than 30 or 40 ewes. A lamb ram should not be allowed more than 15 

 or 20 females, a yearhng or "shearling" ought to be confined to not 

 more than 40, and 60 ewes is the outside limit for any vigorous and 

 mature lamb if best results are desired. Between the ages of two and 

 six years a buck is in his prime. With the ordinary flock in this State 

 it is as good a plan as any to turn the ram with the ewes when the 

 breeding season arrives. If he has been fed grain liberally before the 

 breeding season a slight grain ration should be continued if possible, 

 but he will do well on pasture alone. After the ewes have all been bred 

 the grain ration should be cut down gradually, and the ram eventually 

 allowed to pick his living from pastures and roughage, taking care not 

 to starve him, as many do. 



Ewes should be bred to drop lambs as early in the A\-inter as accom- 

 modations for taking care of them are available. If the farmer has no 

 sheds which are dry, and is without one or two rooms which may be 



