FEEDING SHEEP 389 



"hot-house" lambs, a term which has misled many as to the con- 

 ditions under which the animals are raised. The high price that 

 these lambs command on the market has led many to think 

 the demand only a fad that will soon pass. While the de- 

 mand could no doubt be oversupplied, it has managed to take 

 care of the supply and bids fair to continue to do so for some time 

 to come, particularly all that can be supplied from Christmas to 

 Easter. Many sheep owners have not attempted to raise winter 

 lambs because they did not know where to find a market, not 

 realizing that such lambs are a regular product upon the 

 provision market and can be sold through any commission 

 merchant. Some persons have not gone into the business be- 

 cause they think it difficult to prepare the lambs for market; 

 but this is an easy task, as any one can prepare a carcass who 

 is willing to exercise a little care. 



Foundation stock. — There are two characteristics that the 

 foundation flock must possess for the production of winter lambs : 

 the ewes must drop the lambs in the fall and early winter, and 

 this is perhaps the greatest difficulty in winter lamb production; 

 and the ewes must be good milkers in order to nourish the 

 lambs well, as they should weigh fifty to sixty pounds at ten to 

 twelve weeks of age. All things considered, it is thought best 

 that the sheep composing the foundation flock, for the produc- 

 tion of winter lambs, be grades rather than pure-bred animals. 

 The mutton breeds would, of course, produce the best lambs, 

 but they will not breed at the proper season. The Merino 

 bears lambs fairly early, but the lambs grow too much wool 

 before they have size or are fat enough for the market. 



The best plan is to choose a grade Merino flock. Put it on 

 good pasture and mate the ewes with a good, vigorous pure-bred 

 Horned-Dorset ram. The lambs of this mating will probably be 

 dropped in January, February, and March. This crop will come 

 too late for winter lambs. The ewe lambs should be saved for 

 breeding and the others may be fattened for spring lambs. The 



