Management of Sheep. 



5 



quantity and quality of wool, and occasionally the danij offspring, 

 and fleece, are all culls in consequence. 



In the case of a ewe losing her lamb, it is customary to place 

 the skin of her offspring upon another lamb intended to be put 

 with her. The ewe generally takes to the stranger in a short 

 time ; but in the event of difhculty, a little gin rubbed upon the 

 skin of the lamb and nose of the ewe at once effects the desired 

 object. 



When lambs are dropped between the visits of the shepherd, it 

 often happens that they are starved and unhealthy. In this case 

 a little gin and the ewe's milk is given them, and they are 

 wrapped up in a fleece of wool and placed before the shepherd's 

 fire. When bound or loose in their bodies, or even apparently 

 unwell^ two teaspoonsful of castor-oil^ with a little ginger, are 

 given ; when swollen joints appear, an embrocation is instantly 

 applied to the part, and opening medicine given. In difficult 

 cases with the ewes in lambing, gruel and treacle are given as 

 support : in cases of pain a small quantity of laudanum and lin- 

 seed oil. When ewes appear to be swelling, the following receipt 

 has been found of great value : — 2 oz. roach alum, I oz. white 

 copperas^ mixed in a pint and a half of rain-water, kept well 

 corked. Two tablespoonsful is sufficient for one dressing. 



Upon turnip and seed-farms, where the object is to raise fat 

 wether lamb-hogs, the management of the lambs is commenced at 

 an early period. They are promoted in regular succession, being 

 first separated from the ewe-lambs and allowed to take precedence 

 throughout the year. It is now the practice to wash and shear the 

 general flocks in the beginning of June (though this is considered 

 by some too early in the season). By this plan they are found 

 less subject to fly-galls, gain more weight during the summer, 

 have a more bulky appearance when sold in the autumn, and there 

 is no difference in the weight of wool, if adopted as a general sys- 

 tem. The custom of dipping the lambs directly after the ewes 

 are shorn is in my opinion a valuable one, and should never be 

 omitted. There is also a growing practice of having the whole 

 flock dipped at this period of the year, as it affords an excellent 

 opportunity for cleansing them. The lambs are again dressed 

 with mercurial ointment the first week in October : if this be 

 omitted they are much tormented during the warm spring months. 

 The weaning of lambs is considered to be a nice point, as much 

 depends upon its being properly accomplished. 



The plan of taking the ewes from their lambs to a distant field 

 reserved for them, rather than take the lambs from the ewes, is 

 preferred by these breeders : the lambs being accustomed to their 

 pasture, they remain more quiet than when removed to a strange 

 field, where they fret, become thin and exhausted with bleating. 



