CHAP. in. SHEEP AND LAMB CALENDAR. 1051 



cleaned, the appearance, if not the quality, of the after fleece is 

 materially affected. The same remark applies, even with greater force 

 as regards carefulness, to the shearing or cutting. The shepherd 

 should pay particular attention to the lambs, and on the appearance of 

 the skit or scour, the necessity for a change of food is indicated. If 

 rye, tares, or clover are sufficiently advanced, fold fattening and store 

 sheep upon the crop, or feed them on cut food in yards or sheds. For 

 food in addition to the field produce, see last month. Keep sheep off 

 boggy land, and, if affected by the foot-rot, change them to a hard 

 pasture, or exercise them on hard roads. 



JUNE. 



This is, as a rule, an easy month in the management of sheep, as 

 there is nearly always a plentiful supply of fresh keep. But in 

 arranging the crops to be fed off at this season the future must not be 

 forgotten, as it will be necessary to dispose matters so that there will 

 be sufficient sweet food in the months to come. Stale keep is fatal to 

 young lambs : " stale keep " is that which has been fed off previously 

 by sheep during the season without the intervention of a mowing. 

 Keep may look beautifully fresh and luxuriant, and in every way 

 tempting to sheep, but if it is soured by having been dunged upon by 

 sheep, it is most unsafe to put young sheep on it. Ewes are stronger 

 in their constitution, and may be put on without hurt. Sheep can 

 follow bullocks with safety on almost all soils. The earliest cabbages 

 may come in towards the end of the month, and are very serviceable in 

 getting sheep up for the summer shows, or for the earlier fairs or 

 markets. Sheep are best out of their wool at this season for all 

 reasons. Lambs should be dipped on weaning. The fly will be 

 troublesome. As the shepherd has a fairly easy time when the shear- 

 ing is done, he should make a special effort to get rid of lameness, 

 which can always be effected by a thorough and careful use of a sharp 

 knife, and a moderately strong caustic. Lambs suffering from chafing 

 between the claws require a mild caustic a solution of vinegar and 

 blue vitriol being sufficient, and not so punishing as many of the 

 mixtures sold. Keep water by the sheep at all times. 



JULr. 



Cabbage, kale, and early sown rape, come in at this season, and help 

 to provide fresh food, so that the necessity of putting lambs on stale 

 keep may be avoided. The aftermaths will also be available as fresh 

 food. As soon as the wool is long enough all sheep should be dipped 

 to ward off the attacks of fly, and to check the breeding of ticks. 

 Lamb-dipping must go on until all are finished, which will not be 

 before they are weaned, so the later-lambing breeds will yet have to be 

 done. Ewes should be got up in condition to receive the ram if they 

 are required to lamb by about Christmas or the New Year. They 

 should have been mouthed to see if they are fit to run on as breeders, 



