168 Sheep-Farming 



four days, either longer or shorter. Under northern 

 conditions, it is advisable to arrange the breeding 

 season so that the lambs may be dropped about 

 two or three weeks before the flock is to be turned 

 out on pasture. The chief reason for this is that if 

 the flock is on pasture at the time of lambing, less 

 attention can be given to the lambs, and there are 

 some changes likely to take place in the milk of the 

 ewes that will cause scouring among the lambs. 



Need of having stock in good condition. — The 

 inheritance of the lamb expected is arranged for 

 and determined beyond direct control when the 

 matings are arranged. It should always be borne 

 in mind that the ewe's impression upon the lamb 

 is conveyed solely by an ovum or egg discharged 

 from the ovary at the time of breeding. The sire's 

 contribution to the inheritance of the lamb is con- 

 veyed in a single spermatozoon, microscopic in size, 

 which unites with the ovum. This union consti- 

 tutes fertilization, and the cell so produced, supplied 

 with nourishment from the dam's circulation, de- 

 velops into the new individual. The hereditary 

 material from the parents is more likely to be active 

 and potent in developing the qualities it conveys 

 when the body of the parent is in a vigorous, healthy, 

 and well-nourished condition. 



Advantages of flushing ewes. — There are other 

 advantages in having the ewes in strong condition 

 when they are mated. A shorter lambing season 



