60 The Shepherds' Guide. 



much in the same succession in which they ap- 

 peared : and by the time they arrive at eight or 

 ten years of age, their teeth are generally de- 

 stroyed. 



Again, a great difference exists as to the num- 

 ber of ewes to which a ram may be put. BuffoH 

 limits the number to 25 or 30. In Spain, one ram 

 is provided for every 25. In Denmark, they ad- 

 mit 40 or 50 ewes to each ram. In England, 

 Thomson mentions as an instance of great vigour 

 120 : and Dr. Parr)^ 146. In this country, some 

 rams have certainly covered two or three hun- 

 dred ; and there is no doubt but that if proper 

 means are employed, a ram, perhaps without inju- 

 ry, will go to a greater number. On the contrary, 

 indiscriminately to turn a ram with two or three 

 hundred ewes in a season will greatly exhaust 

 him J many of the ewes will probably prove 

 barren ; and of the lambs, many will be small and 

 feeble. 



When it is wished that a ram should cover a 

 great number of ewes, he should previously be 

 put into high health, and kept up during the sea- 

 son with the best of pasture, and plenty of grain. 

 And instead of being turned into the flodk, the 

 ewes, which are in heat should be regularly 

 brought to him. To discern such ewes, let a vi- 

 gorous common ram be put into the flock, previ- 

 ously secured by an apron under his belly ; which 

 being coloured with lamp-black or Spanish brown 



