80 RANCHING IN THE CANADIAN WEST 



Siodh Year. 

 Six-year-olds . . . . . . . . . . 25 



Colts of third year . . . . . . ..11 



Colts of foTirtli year . . . . . . . . 11 



Colts of fifth year .. .. .. ..11 



PreBuming 50 per cent, of mares foal, 13; 12 per cent. 



allowance for winter loss of foals, 2 = 11.. . . 11 



Increase from colts of third year (providing 6 out of 



11 are mares, and 50 per cent of them throw foals) . . *3 

 Total of bunch . . . . 69 



The duration of pregnancy for a mare is forty- 

 eight weeks. 



Sheep. 



On the Western plains of Canada sheep thrive 

 well, and it is only when a more than usually un- 

 kind winter makes its presence felt, or on the visita- 

 tion of an unexpected " cold snap " after spring has 

 well begun, that trouble is in store for the sheep- 

 rancher. He stands, in fact, a better chance of 

 making money than either of his confreres with 

 cattle and horses, because he has such a good 

 stand-by in the wool crop, although the detail of 

 the work of the ranch generally is more exacting. 

 It must not, however, be forgotten that it is im- 

 perative that he should have knowledge and ex- 

 perience. I have frequently noticed that Scotch- 

 men who have had the handling of sheep on their 

 own native heath are among the most successful. 



* We cannot include this number in the total of the 

 bunch, because it will not permit an allowance of 12 per 

 cent, for loss in winter. 



