THE EARTH'S BOUNTY 



our flock many does were bred when only nine 

 months old, but they still possessed much of 

 the blooded plebeian strength of their mater- 

 nal ancestors. With thoroughbreds, whose 

 progeny must come up to standard size and 

 weight, it is safer to go more slowly. Octo- 

 ber and November are the best months for 

 pairing, because from the end of February to 

 the end of March is the best time for the kids 

 to arrive, as the farm men have more time at 

 that season, and the kids will have time to de- 

 velop sufficiently to go on range with the flock 

 in April. Moreover, the does can be handled 

 more readily at shearing time. Both ram and 

 does should receive slightly heavier rations 

 from September. Put up a temporary hurdle 

 fence to divide the main compartment of the 

 house and yard; place the wethers on one side 

 and does on the other. Each day as a doe re- 

 turns from ram's stable she should be put with 

 the wethers, her number and date of service 

 recorded for future reference, and two or 

 three days before the expiration of the twenty- 



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