Winter Care and Feeding. 41 



these cannot expect their ewes to furnish much 

 milk for their lambs when born, nor shear a heavy, 

 clean fleece of wool. Some winters when a deep 

 snow is on the ground it is difficult to get the ewes 

 out from the barn any distance at all. Where a 

 snow plow is kept on the farm a path can then be 

 made out into the field for sheep to follow 7 . If 

 such a plow is not available two ten or twelve inch 

 planks may be fastened together, like a stone boat, 

 the front end being pointed. A horse may then be 

 hitched to them, and the driver by standing on 

 the planks can make a path wide enough to let the 

 sheep pass through. By all means exercise the 

 ewes in some manner, in order to insure a good 

 lamb crop, for the good shepherd spares no eft'ort 

 in promoting the health and comfort of his breed- 

 ing flock. The careless one depends largely upon 

 the season and so-called "good luck," but good 

 luck is a result of good judgment and good care. 

 The returns in both cases are proportionate to the 

 effort and care given. 



The best shepherds in this country claim that 

 sheep should not be allowed to become wet from 

 about October 1 to May 1. On the days in winter 

 when the cold northwest winds are sweeping over 

 the country, and when the wind almost cuts a 

 man's face, sheep are much better off if kept in the 

 barn. When exposed to these sharp, cold winds 



