MANAGEMENT OP 6REBP. 



have not yet been sufficiently extended. M. Girou is 

 disposed to ascribe much of the effect to the age of 

 the ram, independent of the condition of the ewe." 



CHAPTER V. 



MANAGEMENT OF SHEEP. 



(95.) Those who have attended to the subject are 

 well aware, that the profitable management of live- 

 stock is the most difficult department in the business of 

 a farm. So much depends on the nature of the locality 

 where sheep are kept, and on its situation in regard to 

 markets for the disposal of its produce, that little but 

 what is of general application need be written on this 

 head. Precise rules for agricultural conduct can seldom 

 be laid down with any probability of their being fol- 

 lowed, as it must necessarily vary less or more with 

 the peculiar circumstances of the estate, and must, 

 therefore, to a great extent, be trusted to the intelli- 

 gence of the farmer. All, therefore, that I shall aim 

 at in treating of this division, will be the giving an out- 

 line of the more important matters connected with 

 sheep-husbandry, leaving the tyro to use it as circum- 

 stances may point out. For obvious reasons, a natural 

 arrangement of the subject is the best ; and to this, 

 therefore, I shall, as much as possible, adhere. 



(96.) Putting Tups to Ewes. The middle of No- 

 vember is the time at which this is usually done, but 

 the season is anticipated or delayed according as the 



