170 BRITISH SHEEP AND SHEPHERDING. 



No Best Breed. There is no best breed to suit all districts in 

 this country ; much more is there no breed which is best in all 

 foreign countries, but the Romney is undoubtedly attracting 

 great attention because of its combined wool and mutton properties. 



The Romney is a perfect grazer ; no matter what the size 

 of the flock, or the dimensions of the pasturage, they intuitively 

 spread themselves out with extraordinary evenness, and this 

 is as noticeable when they are grazing rich grounds a dozen to the 

 acre, or in winter, when there may be only one to the acre. No 

 other breed ranges so perfectly, and this doubtless has an effect 

 in keeping the pastures sweet, for the droppings are never massed 

 together. When disturbed, however, they rush together very 

 quickly, for, big as they are, they are quick travellers. On the 

 road, they travel strongly and well. 



Lambing in the Open. Although some of the most improved 

 flocks breed early, April is the chief lambing month. The ewes 

 which have been agisting at a distance are brought back in time 

 for this. The treatment at lambing is very simple. Severe weather 

 is rarely experienced on the Marsh at this time of the year, and 

 the lambing pen is practically ignored, in fact, often ridiculed as 

 being unnecessary ; though in one lambing season within the 

 last four years, the loss of lambs was very heavy owing to a moder- 

 ately severe fall of snow ; which suggests that if the lambing 

 pen is not elaborately set up, some shelter should be available 

 in emergency. The ewes lamb in the open, which is sanitarily 

 sound. Some breeders provide an occasional straw-stuffed hurdle, 

 but the majority do little in this way. The lambs generally get 

 well up on their legs in a short time. The ewes, however, are 

 peculiar as lowland sheep, in that they do not trouble to have 

 the lambs with them at all times. They graze away from the 

 lambs very much, occasionally returning to them. They are, 

 however, good mothers, supply milk plentifully, and are not 

 really negligent of the lambs' welfare, though those accustomed 

 to other breeds might be anxious at the apparent carelessness. 

 Only in very exceptional circumstances is extra food given, but 

 it is by no means difficult to get the ewes to take swedes or mangels. 



Ewes Find for Themselves. To a great extent the ewes may be 

 said to find for themselves, and there is no more simple form of 

 shepherding. This characteristic aids the breed when it is exported 

 to the great ranching countries. Castration and tailing are done 

 within a month of birth. Shearing is done in May and early June 

 the mechanical shearer being largely employed now. Owing 

 to the heavy fleece, and in some instances somewhat heavy bellies, 

 the Romney sheep require to be carefully watched, or losses through 

 getting on their backs are frequent. Shearing time, therefore, 

 brings a welcome relief to the shepherd. It is customary with 



