136 Sheep Management. 



Another benefit that may be of interest, which is 

 derived from the practice of flushing ewes, is the 

 fact that to a certain extent the flockmaster fol- 

 lowing this practice has control over the percent- 

 age of lambs dropped by his ewes the following 

 lambing time. It has been found that whenever 

 ewes and rams are mated that arc both in a strong, 

 vigorous condition and full of vim more twins and 

 triplets may be expected. These results can, how- 

 ever, only be obtained when both sire and dam are 

 in good condition. If the rani is in good condition 

 and the ewe is thin, or if the reverse is the case, 

 then these results cannot be accomplished. Both 

 ram and ewe must be vigorous and strong. 



Another point in favor of having the ewes 

 flushed before breeding is the fact that when prop- 

 erly flushed the flock of ewes will all breed within 

 a shorter lime, thus shortening up the lambing 

 period. This will save the shepherd much loss of 

 sleep. 



The writer does not know of any feed that will 

 flush ewes heller and more cheaply than rape. 

 This plant, when fully matured, will not lead to 

 bloat in sheep. When the lower leaves on the stem 

 begin to turn yellow, as well as the lips of the 

 upper leaves, the rape is ripe and matured, and it 

 may now be fed with safety. The rape seems to 

 stimulate the inner organs of the sheep, making 



