MANAGEMENT OF A BREEDING FLOCK ON THE CHALKS . 



had 587 lambs weaned from 302 ewes, with the loss of one ewe 

 from being cast a fortnight after lambing, and one empty or guest 

 ewe. But he looked to seal the contract of fecundity by having 

 the ewes in good condition at lambing time. " I do not care what 

 you give me when the ewes go to ram if you give me a good run 

 on an unsheeped aftermath on good pasture ; I like a bit of rape 

 for them, and a run on stubbles, during the day ; but it is good 

 grass that makes the fall of lambs," was his view as to getting 

 twins ; but wherever he could which was not difficult with the 

 Suffolks he bred from twin ewes. 



Shelter. The Hampshire lambing pen has been described, 

 and there is nothing better organised than these West Country 

 temporary lying-in hospitals for ewes. They are necessary on 

 the exposed hills, at the early date when lambing is done on them, 

 and they are in every way efficient and economical. These and 

 the field shelters of straw-stuffed hurdles to protect the lambs 

 when the ewes take them out on to roots, are models in the way 

 of housing. They are as hygienic as can be provided, and with 

 the antiseptic aids which all careful masters and shepherds now 

 provide, the mortality in the lambing pen, both of ewes and 

 lambs, has been decreased in a most marked degree. 



High Pressure Feeding. The Hampshire is a big sheep, and 

 can stand heavy doing. It speaks well for the sheep and manage- 

 ment that, when the lambs are once on the way, they are fed at 

 high pressure with exceedingly few losses. The variety of food 

 provided doubtless helps this, which, in itself, is a point in manage- 

 ment. With the better-done flocks, cake, or cake and corn, are 

 liberally used, 1 lb., 1J lb., or even 2 Ib. of cake and corn is given 

 to ewes where it is desired to feed the lambs at high pressure through 

 their mother, and the ewes stand these great weights without hurt. 

 Linseed cake is justly prized but the wise, and the only wise, pre- 

 caution where feeding so heavily, is that of using a considerable 

 mixture of other concentrated foods, thereby avoiding the risk 

 that a too-heavily nitrogenous food would bring about. Of course, 

 the large quantity of nitrogen used to make milk is, in itself, a safe- 

 guard, and prevents the dangerous accumulation of nitrogen in 

 the blood, that is such a big risk with fattening sheep at high 

 pressure ; but with it all, good management is necessary. The 

 fact that the ewes are having swedes and turnips containing mainly 

 starchy food, is a great point, for they help to balance the dietary. 

 All ewes are not fed at this high pressure, but the good results 

 obtained show that much can be done if care is exercised. 



Value of Water- Meadows. The ewes are kept out of the enclosed 

 yards as much as weather will allow, and the exercise is beneficial 

 to them. During this time the ewes are mainly fed on swedes, 

 turnips which have run to top, rape, occasionally kale later on, 



