A YEAR WITH THE EWES. 105 



and the lambs simultaneously a practice which is often attended 

 with considerable profit. 



The ewes having been drawn out, should be branded with a 

 pitch brand. For the better identification of the sheep, it is 

 advisable to mark all of them in special parts, according to their 

 age and sex. Various systems are adopted, but nothing is simpler 

 to remember than the following, which embraces the ordinary 

 sections of the flock : 



Ram tegs, on the off shoulder. 



Ewe tegs, on the near shoulder. 



Theaves, in the middle of back on near side. 



Wethers, in the middle of back on off side. 



Two-shear ewes, on hip on near side. 



Three-shear ewes, above tail. 



Four-shear ewes, on hip on off side. 



A special effort should be made to get the feet sound, as effects 

 of the yarding are often in evidence where proper care is not taken. 

 This is one of the most leisurely periods of the shepherd's year, 

 and advantage should therefore be taken of it in this way ; also 

 in mending hurdles, or getting forward with anything which has 

 been allowed to drop in arrear during the previous busy season. 



Treatment of Ewes before and during Gestation. The breeding 

 flock should be got into good condition to receive the ram, as 

 then a greater fall of lambs may be expected in the following 

 spring. Ewes falling in condition do not come into season so early, 

 and are less likely to produce twins. If the ewes do not come 

 into season at the desired time, a little heating corn, especially 

 barley, will help to bring them on. Barley and wheat stubbles 

 are useful in this respect. After being put to the ram, the ewes 

 may be kept moderately well ; it is best not to allow them to 

 become fat. Grass is a very economical food during the autumn 

 and early winter, but the ewes may be put on the arable land at 

 night to clear up food which other sections of the flock have left 

 behind. 



When the wool gets long enough to carry the dip, ewes should 

 be dipped in one of the recognised dips, otherwise they will be 

 seriously troubled by vermin, and in spring the lambs will catch 

 the pests from them, much to their detriment. Dipping is now 

 compulsory at certain seasons. Ewes go with young about twenty- 

 one weeks, but this varies 1 slightly, as does the period of gestation 

 in most animals. During gestation the ewes should be allowed 

 plenty of exercise, and this advantage is gamed when they roam 

 on broad pastures. Grass land is eminently suited to ewes in 

 lamb, but when food gets short, especially during the last few weeks 

 before lambing, they should receive extra food. The idea commonly 

 prevails that turnips exert a baneful influence on the ewe and the 



