SUPPLEMENT. 769 



gestation half a bushel more bran is added to each four bushels of chaff, and this allow- 

 ance of mixed food is gradually increased in proportion to the increasing demand made 

 by the unborn lamb on the system and strength of the ewe. 



HOW TO AVERT ABORTION. 



Sinco the introduction of this change in our system of feeding the in-lamb ewes at Mer- 

 ton cases of abortion have been unknown, and the mortality among the ewes has been 

 at a minimum. On this point I may be permitted to call your attention to my lecture 

 on "Abortion and Mortality among Ewes." delivered in 1877. To enable me to arrive 

 at something like a definite idea as to the cause of the fearfully large number of ewes 

 which aborted and died in many parts of the country in the early part of the year I have 

 referred to, I sent out more than four hundred circular letters of inquiry, each letter con- 

 taining twenty questions, to flockmasters and others throughout the United Kingdom. 

 These letters were almost all replied to, and the questions fully answered. They showed 

 clearly and conclusively that the greater part of the abortions and deaths occurred in 

 flocks where the ewes had been fed on a comparatively unstinted allowance of common 

 turnips and swedes unmixed with dry food, and that a good allowance of dry food un- 

 doubtedly does away with many of the ill effects produced by simple root diet. It was 

 also very clearly shown that where the ewes were grass-fed there was an entire absence 

 of any serious amount of abortion and mortality. The particulars, with the reasons 

 given for the conclusions at which I arrived, were fully detailed in the lecture to which 

 I have alluded. I may, therefore, especially as our time is so limited, be excused from 

 entering further into this subject. Let me, however, add that I have every hope, when 

 the ensilaging of green crops comes to be fully understood and appreciated as it deserves, 

 the system will be far more generally adopted, with as much benefit and advantage to 

 llockinasters as to dairy farmers, cheese-makers, and stock-keepers in general. I am 

 justified in this confident statement by my recent experience of the good results which 

 have followed the use of ensilage in the case of in-lamb ewes. These results will be given 

 to the public in the lecture which I hope to have the honor of delivering in this room 

 on the 17th of March, on which occasion his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales has, 

 with gracious condescension, expressed his willingness to preside. 



LAMBING. 



As the time draws near for ewes to lamb, a sheltered, well-littered yard should be pro- 

 vided. This should be surrounded by straw-thatched sheds, so divided as to have a 

 nice comfortable pen for each ewe when she lambs. These yards may be constructed 

 for a comparatively small expenditure, and the cast will be amply compensated by the 

 saving of life both among ewes and lambs; many that would otherwise probably be lost 

 in severe weather being preserved by means of this timely protection. Sukable food and 

 dry litter should also be provided close at hand, so that the shepherd has not to run about 

 in search of these necessaries at a time when the ewes are calling for all the attention 

 which he can give them. 



Bear in mind that the duties of a shepherd at lambing time are varied, trying, and 

 anxious, and it is a "penuywise" practice to stint him. To deny him a fair and rea- 

 sonable amount of manual help when he requires it will be hard upon him, and may be 

 the cause of the death of many lambs; because, however willing he is, there is a limit 

 to the shepherd's bodily power, besides which he cannot be in two or three places at the 

 same time. A careful, painstaking shepherd, of the greatest value at any time, becomes 

 doubly valuable at the laborious and anxious time of lambing. How considerable is the 

 importance and worth of such a shepherd can only be fully understood and appreciated 

 by those who, like myself, have watched his constant zeal and anxiety in endeavoring 

 to do the best in his power for the interest of his employer. I repeat what I said on a 

 former occasion, that it is very desirable for the master to visit his shepherd at the 

 larnbing-fold during the night as well as during the day, as frequently as possible, and 

 especially in coarse weather, and if he occasionally takes with him something "warm 

 and comforting" it will be gratefully received and fully appreciated. The more trust- 

 worthy the shepherd the better pleased he is to find the master taking an interest in his 

 work. If everything is going on satisfactorily it will afford him pleasure to make it 

 known to his employer, while on the other hand, if he is experiencing more than ordi- 

 nary anxiety and difficulty in performing his duties, he will be very thankful for the 

 advice and assistance that his master will be able to give him more especially in cases 

 where the shepherd lias reason to put confidence in the skill and knowledge of the master. 

 You therefore see how very necessary it is for you, agricultural students, to be well 

 grounded in all the practical details of sheep management if you would become success- 

 ful flockmasters, or desire to have your shepherds look up to you for advice. 

 H. Ex. 51 49 



