DIPPING. 123 



sive feeding may be discontinued as soon as the ewes have 

 conceived. An old notion among shepherds is that a heavy 

 fall of lambs is best secured when the ewes are " fresh " at 

 the time they go to ram, and afterwards are put on poor dry 

 keep. Fat ewes (if not overfed) are always likely to produce 

 early and abundantly. Our own system is after the ewes 

 have been served to put them together in one large lot, 

 placing one ram with them to take those which " turn." 

 That the number of twins depends in a great measure upon 

 management is certain, as some breeders always secure a 

 much larger crop of lambs than others, and the main secret 

 is no doubt that the ewes should be in good condition while 

 with the ram. 



DIPPING. 



Ewes should be dipped before they become heavy in lamb. 

 July is a favourite month for the purpose, but it may also be 

 done in September or October. The dipping of ewes has a 

 twofold object the destruction of sheep ticks and the pro- 

 motion of a clean and healthy condition of the skin. Pre- 

 pared dips are usually sold in packets ready for use, and in 

 these days few concoctions are made at home for any of the 

 old purposes of the farm. It is the tendency of the age in 

 both domestic and outdoor occupations the home-made 

 recipes give way to the purchased article. So it is with sheep 

 dips. The mixing up of white arsenic, pearl ashes, sulphur 

 and soft soap is relinquished in favour of a purchased dip with 

 directions for use printed on the wrapper, the material to be 

 at once mixed with a prescribed amount of water. The best 

 time for dipping is about one month after shearing, if for no 

 better reason than that less of the material is taken up than 

 when the wool becomes longer. This applies more to Long- 

 woolled sheep than to the Down breeds, which may be con- 

 veniently dipped after harvest. 



