12 
farmers' BT'LLETIN 840. 
from the necessary work of circulating through the flock. A bag or 
a piece of cloth tied under the belly prevents the " teaser from serv- 
ing the ewes. If the ram is allowed to run in the field with the ewes 
he may be made to mark the ones ho has served, so that the approxi- 
mate dates of lambing can be determined. A daub of special brand- 
ing paint that later will scour out of the wool can be applied every 
day or two to the left side of his chest and brisket for the first two 
weeks, on the right side for the next two, and on the middle for the 
last two weelvS of the season. Ditl'erent colors of paint may also be 
used, but under no consideration should any mixture containing tar 
be used. When the ram is not in the flock he will be quieter and more 
easily handled if one or two ram or wether lambs or bred ewes are 
kept running with him. 
FALL FEEDING. 
Stubble and stalk fields may well form the principal means of 
sustenance for the breeding flock in the fall if they are used before 
the rains injure their feeding value. Fence strips in plowed fields 
may also give good grazing for a few days. Clover and grass pas- 
tures may well be left until the stubble and stalk fields have been 
used. For regions where the winters are open a heavy stand of 
well-cured bluegrass will help very much in carrying the flock 
through the winter in good condition. Green rye pastures in the 
late fall give considerable succulence and furnish exercise for tl>8 
flock. In the South velvet beans will be found of great help in 
carrying the flock into January. 
The shepherd should train himself to read the condition of his 
sheep by feeling the bone of the loin or back. At no time while they 
are in lamb should ewes be allowed to lose in weight. In open wet 
fall seasons there is danger of waiting too long to start feeding. A 
rank growth of soft grass may appear to be good feed, but the real 
need of the flock should be determined by a closer examination of 
the actual condition of all or a representative number of the ewes. 
THE FLOCK IN WINTER. 
WINTER FEED. 
Winter management has a very important relation to the returns 
from the flock. The feeding should be such as will produce the 
most vigorous lambs and at the same time keep the wool in good 
condition. Leguminous hays, straws, and cornstalks usually form the 
main part of economical winter rations. Clover, alfalfa, or cowpea 
hay, if of good quality, may be used as the sole feed until near lamb- 
ing time, from 3 to 3J pounds being sufficient for ewes weighing 
less than 150 pounds. Oat and wheat straw are better than rye 
or barley straw. The beards of the latter are likely to prove trouble- 
