■886 



Suffolk Sheep. 



[Jan., 



May mixed clover and grasses begin to make headway. Early 

 trifolium, rye grasses, etc., should be ready; a good store of 

 mangolds must always be available and is an absolute necessity 

 if the spring should prove a late one. The chief food for fold- 

 ing in June, July and August is tares. This should be drilled 

 soon after harvest with a few beans or oats and a succession 

 provided during the summer months, always with plenty of 

 cabbage and mangolds — mangolds if possible — to last well in 

 August. Nothing gives a better bloom to the lambs than white 

 clover or sainfoin, but in some parts of East Anglia this latter 

 does not fioui^ish owing to lack of lime in the soil. August, 

 which is usually a difficult time, must be thought of months 

 ahead, and nothing is a more certain crop at this time than 

 thousand-headed kale. Eape and cabbage may also be provided. 



[ consider late summer and September the most trying time 

 for flock-masters; flies are insistent enemies even when sheep 

 are carefully dipped. Lambs that are forced for sale are also 

 apt to get feverish, breaking out with sore mouths and heads. 

 This gives the flies their opportunity. Extreme care and 

 attention is then necessary on the part of the shepherd, and 

 frequently an entire change of feed is advisable. I should like 

 to say that in many cases the ewes are docked far too short. 

 The tail should always be left long enough to cover up and 

 protect the parts. If this is not done and the sheep is at all 

 feverish it again gives the fly a special opportunity, and 

 irritation is set up causing great suffering to the ewe. Short 

 docking should cease. 



Non-ram-breeding flocks do not commence lambing until the 

 end of February and [March, and are treated in much the same 

 way, but one does not go to the same heavy expense. 



Tn conclusion, the management of a flock requires constant 

 care and supervision. I\Iuch forethought must be exercised 

 for the proper provision of food. No breed is likely to pay 

 better than the Suffolk, which is very prolific, while none 

 matures more quickly, and few breeds produce such good 

 quality mtitton. 



