166 MANAGKMLNT OF SHEEP. 



black, and her strength is not quite wasted, a table spoonful of 

 his cordial, with double this quantity of the infusion, will proba- 

 bly increase or recall the pains ; and the lamb will soon be born. 

 If this is not effected in a quarter of anliour, a second dose of 

 the infusion should be given ; and, that being followed by no 

 good result, he should try what mechanical assistance will 

 do. He should draw down first one leg and then the other, 

 endeavoring with his finger to solicit or coax the head on- 

 ■ward at the same time. If he cannot readily get at the legs, 

 he should push the head of the lamb a little backwards and 

 downwards, when he will probably be able to grasp them. 

 If he does not now succeed, the cause of the obstruction will 

 be sufficiently plain, namely, the too great largeness of the 

 head, which cannot pass the arch of the pubis ; and, there- 

 fore, either tying the legs of the ewe, or an assistant keep- 

 ing her down on her right side, the lamber should grasp the 

 two fore-legs in one hand, and with one or two fingers of the 

 other, urge it forward with as much force as is consistent with 

 the safety of the lamb. The young one will rarely fail to be 

 extracted by these means, except the head very much ex- 

 ceeds the common size." 



In addition to the above sound observations, when me- 

 chanical aid is employed, it is always accompanied with 

 considerable fright to the ewe, and if she is permitted to es- 

 cape immediately after the birth of her lamb, will often re- 

 fuse to own it; therefore, should it be alive, let it be placed 

 at once before her, and by its form and scent, she will, in 

 most cases, recognise it as her offspring. On the whole, 

 the surest way is, to secure the ewe in a small pound or 

 shed, and there leave her for the day ; for, if she has a sup- 

 ply of milk, rarely further trouble need be apprehended. 

 Should she, however, under these circumstances, or any 

 other, refuse to suckle, she must be held, and a teat placed 

 in the mouth of the lamb. This alternative seldom fails to 

 conquer all difficulty. 



The lambs of fine-wooled sheep are extremely sensitive 

 to cold and wet when they drop, and to guard against expo- 

 sure, the sheep-master must endeavor to anticipate storms, 

 and place his flocks beforehand under shelters. These should 

 be capacious, as the ewe dislikes too much company at the 

 time of parturition, as will be noticed in her retiring often 

 quite distantly, if in a field, from the rest of her companions, 

 when the event is about to transpire. In such instances 



