284 



GROWING THE LAMB 



quickly but not roughly, and the wound should be bathed with an 

 antiseptic wash (Fig. 186). 



There are many methods of castrating and there have been pro- 

 longed controversies as to which is the best, hence, it does not seem 

 advisable to outline any particular method. 



Fig. 184. 



Fig. 185. 



Fig. 184. — Docking a lamb with knife. • 



Fig. 185. — Docking a lamb with iron. The tail should be severed about one and one- 

 fourth inches from the body. 



Market Lambs at Weaning Time. — As a general rule, it is 

 better to have the lambs in farm flocks come early (February or 

 March), for then one can devote more time to them. They learn to 

 eat grain before the grass season opens and are ready to market 

 when they are old enough to wean, which is when they are from 

 three to four months of age. At this time they should still have 

 their " baby fat " and they should weigh 65 to 70 pounds. In 

 regions where the summers are hot, lambs make very little gain 



