276 MANAGEMENT AND FEEDING OF SHEEP 



ventilation and to protect them from flies are virtually 

 the same as in the case of lambs (see page 322). An apart- 

 ment of a well-lighted and well-aired basement is very 

 suitable, because of the coolness which it furnishes in 

 summer. 



In the case of rams and ewes to be shown again, the 

 reduction in flesh should be very gradually made, and at 

 the first it should be accomplished more through exercise 

 than by a material reduction in the grain fed. Should the 

 reduction follow too quickly, the bright luster in the wool 

 will be diminished, and in some parts it may fall off. Un- 

 til the season for showing again, the care given to rams, 

 and likewise the food, will be much the same as that 

 called for by shearling wethers (see page 275), with the 

 difference, first, that they should be kept more on pasture, 

 and, second, that they be given less carbonaceous food, as 

 corn. The grazing gives the needed exercise and the car- 

 bonaceous grain portion would be unfavorable to breed- 

 ing. 



Ewes that are to be shown again should be given 

 much the same kinds of food and the same kind of treat- 

 ment as would be suitable for rams, as just submitted. 

 They should be bred early, and if allowed to give nurse 

 to their lambs the latter should be weaned early, or it 

 would not be possible to put sufficient increase on the car- 

 cass to prepare it for competing with even a reasonable 

 hope of winning. Because of the extent to which flesh is 

 usually lost during the nursing period, some breeders rear 

 the lambs produced on other dams. Ewes not to be 

 shown again should be reduced in flesh with all reason- 

 able quickness. As difficulty is sometimes experienced 

 in getting such ewes to breed, the aim should be to have 

 them served with a young and vigorous male. In some 

 instances service is allowed from more than one male. 



The exercise that is required Yards alone may fur- 

 nish enough exercise for sheep reared only for being 

 shown in the fat classes prior to disposing of them. But 



