40 Ewe Management. 



ing time is exceedingly profitable. It should cost no 

 more than a shilling or two per head, and gives extra 

 satisfaction at the time the ewes are mated to good rams. 

 The cost will be recouped many fold in cutting a better 

 fleece, and in having a healthier sheep produce more, 

 better, and cheaper and quicker fattening lambs. 



There are two diametrically opposed conditions for 

 the ewe to be in for breeding purposes too poor and too 

 fat. In a starved sheep there is no potentiality for 

 breeding, and a fat cow or any fat animal is regarded 

 as most unprofitable stock to breed from. The rule for 

 successful sheepbreeding is to supply the ewe with a 

 sufficient quantity of wholesome grazing that will at 

 one and the same time impel to exercise so as to develop 

 constitution, and create immunity from disease, thereby 

 a.bolishing any probability of failure, and according 

 favourably with the sheep's natural state. Paddocks 

 with an all-the-year-round carrying ability of up to two 

 sheep to the acre are suggestive. Closer the surround- 

 ings are to a natural state, where the sheep roamed over 

 considerable areas, obtaining exercise and choosing suit- 

 able feed, more easy is it to breed up sound-constitu- 

 tioned, hardy mothers of healthy lambs that will raise 

 the standard of the flock, or that can be quickly and 

 easily fattened upon the richer pastures and crops of the 

 farm. Ewes placed in better and heavier carrying pad- 

 docks will require more attention and more frequent 

 change from paddock to paddock. That is, better the 

 feed heavier the stocking must be to avoid coarse and 

 indigestible fibrous feed growth, and sooner the paddock 

 gets fouled and health of the ewes injured by the tainted 

 ground, if changes are not effected. Greater attention 

 must also be paid here to the ewes not getting over-fat. 



Prior to mating the ewes with the ram, particularly 

 for the first time, or if they are anyways lacking in 

 condition, it is a beneficial custom to put them on to 

 good feed. A paddock with grass in good heart will do, 



