40 



be all right here, though too early in the. west. They must be marketed 

 during the Christmas holidays, as they will be too heavy to sell as 

 fancy lambs if held much later. The heaviest demand is from the 

 first of January to the middle of March, so it is best to have the ewes 

 yean in November or December. The period of gestation in sheep 

 ranges from 150 to 154 days, so they must be bred in June or July. 

 Ewes of ordinary breeds will not accept the ram at that season, and 

 the Dorsets and their grades are the only ones that can be depended 

 upon to produce lambs in November or December. Dorset-^Ierino 

 grades have been found very satisfactory, also the Dorset-Shropshire, 

 though the latter is not as certain to breecl at the proper season. Good 

 grade ewes are preferable as mothers for raising such lambs, as they are 

 cheaper and are usually stronger and more vigorous mothers. The 

 rams should be pure bred, as grade sires are not prepotent, conse- 

 ciuently failing to sire lambs of uniform merit. Bearing in mind that 

 lambs of good size, possessing first-class ciuality, with high grade of 

 flesh and good feeders, are the object, some breed possessing these 

 characteristics should furnish the ram. For the largest lambs and 

 good cjuality of flesh Hampshire rams are very good. In this State, 

 as the Shropshire is the most popular and rams of the breed easily 

 obtainable, it would seem best to select good, vigorous and good-sized 

 Shropshire sires. 



The ewes should be sheared early and kept on light food from March 

 until the latter part of May, aiming at only medium condition. Pasture 

 them in May, to keep them gaining until bred. When pasture is not 

 good they should receive grain in addition. Rams should be in similar 

 condition. The preferable plan is to keep the ram with the ewes at 

 night only, but it is usuallj^ more convenient to turn them with the 

 flock, letting them remain all the time, until every ewe has been bred. 

 After they have all taken the ram he should be removed from the 

 same pasture. 



The barn or shed in which the ewes and lambs are to be cared for 

 should be wind proof, reasonably warm, and considerable glass on the 

 south side is an advantage. The best of ventilation should be arranged. 

 It is advisable to provide separate cjuarters for the lambs, separated 

 from the ewes by a "creep." Only sufficient bedding to keep the 

 sheep clean is necessary, an excess being objectionable. Gypsum will 

 keep down the ammonia from the fermenting riianure. Supply salt 

 and water in the barn, so that the ewes and lambs need not go out 

 doors from the time they are put in until the young animals are 

 slaughtered and sold. 



Feeding should be about the same as for ordinary lambs, except 

 that more protein must be furnished the winter lamb, and he should 

 be forced, if possible, to eat more grain all the time. Carrots and Swede 

 turnips are ver}^ valuable for the ewes and a few may be given the 

 lambs, although bright, fresh silage, which has never been frozen, is as 

 well for palatability and more economical. The guide as to the amount 

 of feed both for ewes and young is their general thrift. Keep enough 

 food before the ewes at all times to insure a full flow of milk, as it is 

 from this source that the c^uickest and steadiest gain for the lambs 

 must come. Corn meal and wheat bran in the proportion of three of 

 meal to one of bran is a very excellent mixture for the lambs, and if 

 fed with good clover hay will produce surprising growth. If silage or 

 chopped roots are available it should be fed once a day, with bran and 

 meal sprinkled over it. Feeding three times a day all the grain that 

 will be cleaned up is recommended. Troughs for both mother and 

 offspring should be cleaned thoroughly at each feed. Silage taken 



