TUPPING SEASON. 280 



and is therefore successfully cultivated in the cold latitude of 

 New Hampshire, and with eqijal profit to the Merino, when 

 properly managed. i 



The essential points of a good Saxon ram conform to those 

 of a Merino ; in reference to the eyes and horns they are 

 identical ; the staple cannot be too fine, silky, long, and yet 

 compact, — the objection to a very short staple is now very 

 general ; the spiral curls or cyimp very minute or close, — 

 this is a prominent good point ; the fleece should be imbued 

 with yolk, which is indicated by the surface being somewhat 

 dark, — a dry fleece is unprofitable, and the wool never so 

 soft and strong ; the wool should be very white below the 

 surface, — ^if it haS a bluish or pearly-grey cast, it denotes an 

 unhealthy sheep or an indifferent constitution. The form 

 should be square and compact, with a tolerable wide but deep 

 chest, and full, round belly ; bones small, and legs not too long, 

 with a good covering of wool ; full about the hind quarters ; 

 the ,neck small and tapering near the head, without ruffles, 

 and no droop from the withers to the poll ; the back nearly 

 straight, with tameness and docility of disposition. 



TUPPING SEASON. 



This important season we will suppose being near at hand, 

 the rams should be rigidly examined, and those selected for 

 use should be served in an aldermanly way for several weeks 

 before they are put, by giving their " lordships" each a gill 

 of oats daily, to which may- be added, at -intervals of two or 

 three days, half a handful of wheat, which will increase more 

 rapidly the supply of seminal fluid. If the duty to be per- 

 formed is extra, high feeding should be continued till their 

 services for the season have expired. 



The number of rams apportioned to 100 ewes, depends 

 muqh on the breed, the age, and vigor they possess. With 

 the English breeds, the ram is put when 18 months old, and 

 if he-has been pushed forward by artificial means, will cover 

 from 60 to 80 ewes ; the latter is considered in England the 

 maximum, with security to the health of the ram, and sound- 

 ness of constitution to his progeny. Overtasking the male is 

 always followed by a greater or less degree of effeminacy of 

 his gettings, and therefore should be avoided. Nothing is 

 gained either by allowing the ram to cover too many, as his 

 vigor faUs him proportionally, when he arrives at the age of 

 six. or seven ; whereas, if prudently worked when young, will 



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