168 SHEEP FARMING IN AMERICA 



infestation of this pest. There is some parasitism 

 in that region but it is more likely to be of tape- 

 worms or the brain parasite that causes "gid" or 

 ' ' staggers. " 



It is a matter of wonder to the writer that more 

 men do not in New England and our other northern 

 border states turn their attention to sheep growing 

 on a scale large enough to make it a business. There 

 should be whole regions given up to the breeding of 

 sheep, and such breeds as the Cheviot, Lincoln or 

 Cotswold would there find a congenial home, while 

 Shropshires and Southdowns would thrive well and 

 furnish the market with prime mutton. Shepherd- 

 ing without the fear of stomach worm infestation is 

 a delightful occupation. 



The simplest method of keeping the lambs in 

 health in the summer time is to separate them from 

 the ewes and put them on grazing that has had no 

 sheep on it- for a year, or at least that has had no 

 sheep since the previous fall. We will take up the 

 care of the lambs a little later. 



The ewe flock is easily kept in health. Mature 

 sheep are resistant to parasites unless they are de- 

 pleted in vitality by reason of being bred too young, 

 or by suckling their lambs when poorly nourished. 

 It is only necessary to give them sound grass and as 

 good a variety of herbage as is at hand and to 

 change them from one pasture to another about once 

 in ten days or a fortnight. The old adage, "change 

 of pasture makes fat sheep" is true and it depends 

 upon two reasons : change gives chance for fresh 



