Early Lamb-Raising 231 



fulness. Unless one has special advantages for se- 

 curing ewes, I think it better to retain the flock from 

 year to year, discarding annually only such as do 

 not prove good mothers and those past the prime 

 of life. After a ewe has begun to decline from ad- 

 vancing age, she will not produce as good lambs, her 

 fleece will be lighter, and she herself will shrink in 

 value very rapidly. Up to six years, or even eight 

 with Merinos, ewes will produce better lambs than 

 when younger. 



With the right breed of ewes, the only secret un- 

 der the control of man in stimulating breeding at 

 this season of the year is that of feeding the ewe 

 flock so as to have them improving in condition. 

 Ewes that have never raised a lamb in the spring 

 more readily breed for fall lambs. Cool, cloudy 

 weather at the breeding season is favorable for mat- 

 ing. Even with all conditions favorable, it is not 

 possible to secure as rapid mating in the summer as 

 in the fall. Nor have I ever had as large a per cent 

 of ewes breed during the summer months as in the 

 fall. If 90 per cent of them mate, I consider it 

 satisfactory. 



Management at mating season. — Shear the ewe 

 flock in April and feed well. There is nothing better 

 than corn when a legume, hay, or fresh grass accom- 

 panies it. And I have found that it paid to feed 

 corn once a day, no matter how good the pasture. 

 Turn in the rams by May 15, and continue feed- 



