SUMMER CARE AND MANAGEMENT. 155 



flock thriving and increasing in flesh at time 

 of_ breeding. Not only will the lambs con- 

 ceived at such a time he of superior vigor but 

 there will be a larger number of twins among 

 them. 



CAKE OF THE FEET. 



When the sheep are turned to pasture in 



the spring their feet should be carefully 



trimmed and shortened. It is easier to do this, 



however, if they are permitted to' go in the wet 



grass for a day or two and are taken in while 



their feet are yet wet. They will at such a time 



cut like cheese, whereas if they are trimmed ^ 



fie4-shorl.eiied_ lUiii-e'aHi&l' tO'- do ttiis, noweverr 



I ifLihey—ai'e-p' e-i 'i rjilted 4u g o i n t he Wet ~gTass 



I fQJi-;aJay_XirL±SEa_and -are-taken in while their 



Meet- a-r» ^et— wetr— They will" at such a time 



cufciikE. oh«es%--^wherea35~Tf= they are" tiimmedj 



"when dry they will be very horny in texture. 



Nature evidently intended the sheep for 

 climbing over very rocky soils where the feet 

 would be subjected to rapid wear. It is prob- 

 able, too, that in selecting individuals for their 

 superior wool growth the horn growth of the 

 feet has kept pace with the wool growth in 

 some degree, since there is a relationship be- 

 tween horn growth and wool. In any event it 

 is very unlikely that with the amount of travel 

 needed on arable farms the sheep will suffi- 

 ciently wear down their feet to relieve the 

 shepherd of need tO' trim them twice a year, 

 and with some breeds more often. 



The aim of trimming should be to keep the 



