78 ON EWES. 



CHAPTER IX. 



CONCERNING EWES. 



Q. \VHAT precautions should be taken in coup, 

 ling sheep ? 



A. A good choice of rams and ewes should 

 be made to improve the breed, or to prevent it from 

 degenerating. It is, above all, necessary to select 

 such animals, as are in good health, and of a proper 

 age. If the ewe should be found to refuse the ram, 

 some handfuls of oats or hemp seed should be given 

 them ; or a couple of handfuls of bran, mixed with a 

 half an ounce of salt, and an onion ( 1) ; or two cloves 

 of garlic (2), cut into small pieces, mixed with two 

 handfuls of bran, and half an ounce or two pinches of 

 salt. The rams should have the same provender 

 given them, when they are not sufficiently ardent. 



Q. What care should be taken of the ewes after 

 coupling ? 



A. It is necessary to keep them from every thing, 

 which might kill the lamb before its birth, or make 

 them miscarry. Bad food, fatigue, jumping, com- 

 pression of the belly ; too great heat, or fright, may 

 cause these accidents, which are but too frequent. 



Q. How can the accidents, which cause miscar- 

 riage, be prevented ? 



A. The fear, which a clap of thunder, or the ap- 

 proach of a wolf excites, cannot be prevented ; but 



(1) Alliura cepa, L. (2) Allium sativum, L 



