SHEEP HUSBANDRY IN THE SOUTH. 199 



This, too, looks like a great amount of labor to attain the result sought, 

 but having had it formerly practiced for two years on my farm, I know 

 that when conducted with system, and by a prompt and handy shepherd, 

 it consumes no great amount of time. 



Rams will do better, accomplish more, and last two or three years long- 

 er, if daily fed with grain, when on service, and it is well to continue it,' 

 gradually decreasing the quantity, for a few days after they are withdrawn 

 from the flock of ewes. A ram should receive the equivalent of from half 

 a pint to a pint of oats, daily, when worked hard. They are much more 

 conveniently fed when kept in huts. If suffered to run at large, they 

 should be so thoroughly tamed that they will eat from a measure held by 

 the shepherd. Careful breeders thus train their stock-rams from the time 

 they are lambs. It is very convenient, also, to have them halter-broke, so 

 that they can be led about without dragging or lifting them. An iron ring 

 attached to one of the horns, near the point, to which a cord can be at- 

 tached for leading, confining, &c., is very useful and handy. If rams are 

 wild, it is a matter of considerable difficulty to feed them separately, and 

 it can only be effected by yarding the flock and catching them out. Some 

 breeders, in addition to extra feeding, take the rams out of the flocks 

 nights, shutting them up in a barn or stable by themselves. There is no 

 objection to this practice, and it is a great saving of their strength. 



Rams should not be suffered to run with the ewes over a month, at 

 least in the North. It is much better that a ewe go dry than that she 

 have a lamb later than the first of June. And after the rutting season is 

 aver, the rams grow cross, frequently striking the pregnant ewes danger- 

 ous blows with their heavy horns, at the racks and troughs. 



DIVISION OF FLOCKS. If flocks are shut up in small inclosures during 

 winter, according to the Northern custom, it is necessary to divide them 

 into flocks of about 100 each, to consist of sheep of about the same size 

 and strength. Otherwise the stronger rob the weaker, and the latter rap- 

 idly decline. This would not be so important where the sheep roam at 

 large, but even in that case some division and classification are necessary, 

 or, at all events lest. It is best, indeed, as already stated, even in sum- 

 mer. The poorer and feebler can by this means receive better pasture, or 

 a little more grain and better shelter in winter. 



By those who grow wool to any extent, breeding ewes, lambs, and weth- 

 ers are invariably kept in separate flocks in winter ; and it is best to keep 

 yearling sheep by themselves with a few of the smallest two-year-olds, and 

 any old crones which are kept for their excellence as breeders, but which 

 cannot maintain themselves in the flock of breeding-ewes. 



THE HOSPITAL. Old and feeble, or wounded shiep, late-born lambs, etc., 

 should be placed by themselves, if the number doee not even exceed a score. 

 They require better feed, warmer shelter, and more attention. But after 

 all, unless the sheep are of a peculiarly valuable variety, it is better to sell 

 them off in the fall at any price, or to give them to some poor neighbor 

 who has time to nurse them, and who may thus commence a flock. 



YARDS. Experience has amply demonstrated, that in the climate of the 

 Northern and Eastern States where no grass grows from four to four and 

 a half months in the winter and where, therefore, all that can be obtain- 

 ed from the ground is the repeatedly frozen, innutritions herbage, left in 

 the fall it is better to keep sheep confined in yards, excepting where tho 

 ground is covered with snow. If suffered to roam over the fields at other 



