FEEDING AND CARE OF BREEDING EWES 125 



nursing of their lambs. Such a condition will be acceler- 

 ated by pastures that are rich, succulent and plentiful. 

 Where these are not forthcoming" to the degree desired, 

 resource must be had to feeding grain. But the system 

 followed will be modified materially by the conditions 

 under which the animals are kept. 



When sheep are kept under extensive conditions, as 

 on the range or on rugged pastures, it may not be prac- 

 ticable to furnish any succulent food. Under such con- 

 ditions the shepherd can do but little toward hastening 

 the breeding. Usually, however, it is not desired to has- 

 ten it, as the lambs cannot come before the grasses have 

 made a start the following spring. Under semi-range 

 conditions it may be possible to furnish supplemental 

 food that will modify the time within which the ewes will 

 mate. 



On the arable farm the aim should be to have the 

 ewes mate when the system is building up. The breed- 

 ing organs sharing in such increase are stimulated into 

 action. Food is the chief influence in bringing about such 

 renovation. Where ewes can have access to abundant 

 rape pastures pretty well grown, they will soon come in 

 heat. Other succulent and nutritious pastures, such as 

 clover, will exercise a similar influence, but not in an 

 equal degree. Where pastures sufficiently stimulating 

 may not be had, then the process known as flushing may 

 be resorted to. It consists in feeding grain for two to 

 four weeks before the mating is desired. Almost any 

 kind of grain will answer. Some shepherds favor feeding 

 barley and wheat. Corn and rye are probably least in 

 favor for such feeding. The quantity to feed may be put 

 at from one-half to one pound per animal daily. 



It is also considered that, in warm climates, the mat- 

 ing season will be hastened by shearing the ewes just 

 after their lambs are weaned. While it is probably true 

 that such shearing does exert an influence in the direc- 

 tion sought, it is questionable if the practice is likely to 



