AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM 15 



flock, it may be known when to expect the first lambs. 

 Let the ewes be narrowly observed from this time, and as 

 their bags spring, and indicate the approach of a birth, 

 %vil;hin two or tlu'ee days, (to permit which to be easily 

 observed, as well as for cleanliness, their tails should be 

 all short) let them be put into the yeaning paddock — To se- 

 parate the ewes about to yean, and to keep them separate 

 from the flock for a few days after yeaning, is best at all 

 times ; in cold weather, absolutely requisite. 



The sheep is a timid foolish creature ; any one of them 

 is with difficulty restrained from following the flock. If 

 the ewes at this season are all left in the common pasture, 

 when the flock moves, a ewe that may have just dropped 

 a lamb, and particularly a fu-st lamb, is very apt to ran 

 after them, and leave her young to freeze or to starve 

 Again, in the midst of a flock, it often happens that a 

 ewe, dunng the first day or two, by the crowding of 

 others, and the frequent change of position, gets con- 

 fused and doubtful as to her own lamb — and presently 

 mistakes and disowns it. It is surprising to see what 

 degree of cold a young lamb will bear, and how thrifty 

 it becomes, if passed safely throisgh the first forty eight 

 hours; during which time, and most particularly for the 

 tirst twelve hours, they are liable, if exposed to wet and 

 cpld, and if not licked and caressed by the ewe, to be 

 frozen or starved to death. It is in this way, that nme 

 tenths of the lambs lost do die. 



In the yeaning paddock, each ewe need not remain 

 more than four or five days after j'eaning, and con ■ 

 aequently no more than seven or eight days altogether, 

 if carefully observed and put in at the right time. Thus 

 it will not be crowded, and those that are there can the 

 more readily receive the veqaisite care from the attendant^ 

 In open weather no care is necessary to the ewes in this 

 paddock, but to give them access to the shed, and to I'sed 

 them as the flock. If falling weather, or snow on the 

 gfound, the ewes on the eve of yeaning, should be put 

 each in one of the pens under the shed, on a little dry 



