106 



Mr. W. Heape. 



ewes in a flock is associated with a high percentage of abortion 

 (Lin coins), and that ewes of a particular breed run on certain subsoils 

 or in certain districts are more liable to abortion than the average for 

 that breed, as, for instance, Lincolns run on the wolds and Hampshires 

 on oolite formation. 



In some parts of Lincolnshire abortion sometimes approaches, if it 

 does not actually assume, an epidemic form; at such times several 

 neighbouring flocks may experience between 30 and 40 per cent, of 

 aborted ewes ; I am unaware of a similar form of abortion in any other 

 district. 



Unsuitable food, causing indigestion and intestinal irritation, and 

 poor food, resulting in poor nutrition, are probably responsible for the 

 greatest proportion of abortion in ewes. It is not the kind of food, as 

 is frequently supposed, but the condition of that food which is at fault, 

 and, as a result, my schedules show that poor condition of ewes during 

 gestation is undoubtedly associated with a relatively high percentage 

 of abortion. 



The highly artificial conditions under which sheep are kept in many 

 districts in this country, renders the question of the most suitable food 

 for breeding ewes a very important question, and it is one regarding 

 which but little attention has been paid. 



The most frequent percentage of abortion experienced in 300 pure- 

 bred flocks is shown in Table II to be under 1 per cent. The highest 

 percentage is relatively more frequent in large than in small flocks, and 

 this table shows that much more irregularity is experienced in abortion 

 than Table I shows is the case for fertility. 



Barrenness. 



In 327 flocks of pure-bred ewes the percentage of barrenness varies 

 from 51-42 per cent, to 0, while the percentage for 96,520 ewes is 4*71. 

 The Lincoln (8 per cent.) and the Shropshire (6*06 per cent.) breeds 

 suffer the most, while, with the exception of Hampshire Downs, Dorset 

 Horns, and Suffolks, no pure breeds record less than 5 per cent, loss 

 from this cause. 



The district or subsoil on which ewes are run is associated, in certain 

 breeds, with the proportion of barrenness experienced : thus, Lincoln 

 sheep run on the wolds, Shropshire sheep on new red sandstone subsoil, 

 and Hampshire sheep elsewhere than on chalk downs, are associated 

 statistically with a relatively high percentage of barrenness ; an exces- 

 sive proportion of shearling ewes in a flock is also frequently found 

 associated with a high percentage of barrenness \ but the quality of 

 the food given and the condition of the rams and ewes at tupping time 

 is no doubt the chief factor which influences the barrenness percentage. 



Fat is well described as an enemy to fruitfulness, while the want of 



