j^i^ Dr. Parry's Essay on the Nature, Produce, Origin, 



The sheep are divided into three separate flocks, lambs, ewes, and rams. The 

 young lambs remain with their dams during the day, are separated from them at 

 niglit, and weaned at the age of five or six months. 



A month before lambing, a litde bran, or some oats, peas, horse-beans, or other 

 corn, is given to the ewes; and the same food is continued for a month or more 

 afterv.'ards, especially when a sufficient quantity of good herbage is not to be ob- 

 tained in the fields. A little bran is also given to the lambs, as soon as they are 

 able to eat it. This supply of bran and corn is said to be unnecessary when there 

 is sufficient pasturage. 



It is recommended to allow salt, either alone, or mixed with bran or oats, in the 

 proportion of half an ounce per diem to each sheep. Clear, and, if possible, run- 

 ning water, is given to the sheep every day. 



Whether housed or folded, they are never permitted to go out to feed till the 

 ■Sew is dissipated ; and to this precaution is chiefly attributed their exemption from 

 the rot. With the same view, in moist weather, their hunger is first appeased with 

 dry food. 



According to the French writers, the most unwholesome of all land is that which 

 is overflowed in the winter, and dry in the summer. 



Trees, sheds, or houses are ready for sheltering the flocks from the extreme heats 

 of the summer and autumn. 



From 30 to 40 ewes are allotted to each ram. I have already mentioned that 

 both sexes should be, at least, two years old ; but we are told, that, if persons are 

 eager to augment their flocks, the 2 tooths may be allowed to take the ram without 

 injury, provided the Iambs are made to suck other dams, or she goats ; it having 

 been found that it is nursing, rather than gestation, which impedes their growth, 

 and lessens their fleece. 



Attention being paid to these cautions, the rams may be used for breeding till 

 the age of seven or eight years, and the ewes till that of 11 or 12. 



For the sake of the ev/es as well as of the lambs, the weaning is always performed 

 gradually. 



The tails of the sheep, and the horns of the rams, are always shortened. 

 I have mentioned above that the wool of the 4th cross of the Merino ram with 

 common ewes is usually equal to that of the pure race. It is asserted by Gilbert, 

 and agreed to by other breeders, that, at this period, a ram of the mixed breed. 



