18 
FARMERS^ BULLETIN 840. 
:^heop sliouKl be dipped a second time about ^-4 days after the first 
dipping*. About 10 days should be allowed to elapse after shear- 
ing", so that shear cuts may have time to heal before dipping. 
CULLING THE EWE FLOCK. 
The summer or early fall, soon after the lambs have been weaned 
or marketed, is the best time to dispose of ewes that are not con- 
sidered desirable for another year's breeding. The ewes that are to 
raise the next crop of lambs can then be prepared for fall breeding. 
Ewes of the mutton breeds do not ordinarily breed well nor keep 
in good condition after 5 years of age. Their usefulness, however, 
depends more upon the condition of their teeth than upon their 
actual age. Fine-w^ool ewes usually remain useful to a later age. 
It is a good plan to sell aged ewes before they become too run down 
to be valuable to the butcher. The ewes that give the most milk 
and raise the best lambs are likel}^ to be quite thin at this time and 
should not be judged by their appearance. 
Xonbreeding ewes, poor milkers, light shearers, and mothers of 
inferior lambs should be marked as their defects are discovered and 
should be disposed of at this time. Their places should be filled by 
the best individuals among the yearling ewes and from the best breed- 
ing older ewes. 
WEANING THE LAMBS. 
If lambs are sold at from 3 to 5 months of age, they may run with 
their dams until that time. The lambs to be kept for breeding pur- 
FiG. 4. — A group of yearling ewes kept to replace the older ones culled out in the fall. 
These ewes have been cared for to produce good fleece and full development for use 
as breeders. 
