64 The Shepherds^ Guide. 



Lambs which fall in the winter, or very early ia 

 the spring, require so niuch care and attention^ 

 that it will be found much the most safe and con- 

 venient not to have too many fall together : this 

 will be the case when the ram goes continually 

 with the ewes : but when it is intended that the 

 lambs should not fall before April, it is most con- 

 venient that the ewes should yean much about the 

 same time. With this intention, the ewes, from 

 the time of weaning the lambs should be particu- 

 larly well kept ', and about a week before putting 

 the ram to them, should have a little oats or corn 

 given to them daily. At Rambouillet, oats are 

 recommended for rams during the whole season. 

 They are supposed in a particular degree to impart 

 vigour, and to have a great effect on the lambs ; 

 which, in size, constitution and wool, are suppos- 

 ed to bear a resemblance to the ram or ewe in 

 proportion to the superiority of vigour possessed 

 by either. In proof of the truth of this opinion, a 

 well fed flock is always found to produce more 

 twins than one that is scantily fed ; and twins are 

 also most common at the commencement of the 

 lambing season ; being the produce of the male 

 before his vigour is impaired. A strong argu- 

 ment for providing a full supply of rams. 



Breeding ewes, likewise, should be particularly 

 M-ell fed with succulent nutritious food a few 

 weeks before lambing : in consequence, the lambs 

 will be far stronger, and the ewes will have a 

 greater abundance of milk for their support. 



