THE LAMBING TIME. I2Q 



proximity to a field of swedes, or of late turnips. The en- 

 closure consists of a double row of hurdles, stuffed between 

 with straw, and kept firm by means of a few posts and rails. 

 About two feet from the outside wall, and on the inside, are 

 driven six feet posts carrying a head rail or plate, and, rest- 

 ing on this plate, and upon the outside hurdles, with a 

 sufficient run or slope, thatched hurdles are fixed ; thus 

 forming a continuous narrow shed, which is again divided 

 by hurdles into coops or cells. These coops are best open to 

 the south and east, and backed to the north and west ; and 

 in such a position ewes and lambs lie warm even in the 

 severest weather. Outside these cells, and inside the en- 

 closure, the space is divided by hurdles into four or five 

 good-sized yards, and a straw rick ought to occupy a central 

 position with reference to the entire space. The shepherd's 

 portable house is drawn up at a convenient distance, and 

 with such a fold we may look forward to lambing with a 

 feeling of confidence and security. 



The forward ewes should be brought into the pen every 

 night and lie upon straw. A good-sized heap of swedes 

 should also have been provided, and hay racks or cribs 

 should be placed around, so that the animals may receive a 

 foddering when they come into shelter at about four o'clock 

 in the afternoon. During the height of the yeaning, the 

 shepherd remains night and day with his flock, and provided 

 with a good lantern he makes periodical visits, carefully 

 looking at every ewe. As soon as a lamb is born, it and its 

 dam should be removed into one of the coops or cells, as 

 already mentioned, there to remain for three or four days, 

 until the lamb is able to follow its mother without difficulty, 

 and until the two thoroughly know each other. When this 

 is judged to be accomplished, the cell is vacated for other 

 occupants, and the ewe and her lamb or lambs are transferred 

 to one of the larger divisions of the pen. 



As lambing proceeds, the various lots of ewes are classified 

 and separated, as follows : 

 9 



