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The ewes go to the rams as two-tooths, and will carry about six lambs, 

 after which they are fattened and sold to the butcher. Some ewes appear 

 to have sound mouths even at eight years old. One shepherd informed me 

 that he always fattened off and sold the dry ewes of the preceding season : 

 he had found that barrenness was frequently caused by milking the ewes 

 too late in the season. Another shepherd told me that he always kept his 

 dry ewes, even if dry several seasons in succession, because they helped to 

 improve the appearance of his flock. 



As to the rams they are first used as two-tooths, when they are allotted 

 15 ewes each ; thereafter they receive 30 ewes ; although one shepherd 

 told me he always used seven rams to 100 ewes. Old rams are fattened off 

 when five years old and sold to the butcher in the month of May, when it is 

 stated the flesh loses most of its rankness, which I am inclined to doubt. 



Milking Enclosure for Ewes in Greece. 



Castration of lambs is not practised, as I have already stated. A few ram 

 lambs, however, when 12 months old, are castrated by tying a piece of string 

 round the purse, and are kept as bell wethers to lead the flock. No selection 

 in the matter of ewes appears to be practised. When questioned as to how 

 he selected his ram lambs, one shepherd told me that his first point was 

 good stout legs, his second a typically characteristic masculine head, and his 

 third a good, sound, long fleece. 



The flocks pasture at freedom night and day in the summer months, but 

 in the winter, when accompanied by their lambs, they are regularly yarded 

 at night. Salt appears to be appreciated, for one large sheepowner informed 

 me that in winter he gave as much as 281bs. of salt a day to 100 ewes, which 

 practice led to their drinking very freely. Shearing starts about mid-May. 



