126 SHEEP FARMING IN AMERICA 



draw the lamb outward until the shoulders are de- 

 livered the hardest part. I usually leave her then, 

 for the hips and hing legs come away readily, and 

 the ewe generally gets up at once and seeks her 

 lamb and proceeds to lick it and caress it with her 

 tongue. It should soon try to stand and in about 15 

 minutes will try to suck. If it finds the teat without 

 aid you may call it half raised. 



Usually it is well to help the lamb to its first meal, 

 especially if the "ewe is young, and it is her first 

 born. The easiest way to do this is to gently set 

 her on her rump, as though you were going to shear 

 her, kneeling down behind her and with her shoul- 

 ders resting against you. First start the milk from 

 her teats, then taking the lamb with the right hand 

 (the left arm being under the ewe to support her), 

 lay it down on its side and opening its mouth insert 

 the teat, when it will usually begin immediately to 

 suck. Let it get a pretty fair bellyful and its 

 chances are bright for coming on in good, strong 

 fashion. 



The shepherd should observe whether it after- 

 ward goes to sucking on its own account, and if it 

 does there need not be many slips between that lamb 

 and a ten-dollar bill, if it is born right! 



Supposing there is a wrong presentation. The 

 shepherd is fortunate if he has a small hand, for it 

 is his duty to help put things right. We cannot 

 here give details of how this is to be done, but know- 

 ing the natural presentation the shepherd should lie 

 able to study it out for himself. He must carefully 



