Practical Agriculture. 
517 = 251 
)duce is to be sold off as lambs for graziers, this is not good 
iinagement ; and the lambs will not possess the level character 
Ut is specially prized in lots brought to market. Of course, 
^lere the perpetuation of a good breeding flock is the object, 
e greatest attention is paid to the matching of the ewes. 
The time of putting ewes to the ram depends much upon the Time of 
.,untry and the system of husbandry pursued ; in other words, ["the raiir^ 
jion climate and upon the farmer's means of provision for the 
iring. When there is shelter, protection, and a good provision 
. food for lambing ewes in February and the early part of 
arch, the tupping season begins in the middle of September ; 
an open or bleak country the end of September or beginning 
{ October is preferred. In the south and west of England, as 
jih the Southdown and Hampshire Down flocks, it is com- 
lonly August and September, but in the northern counties, 
ctober, when the rams are turned in with the ewes. The 
orset breed ordinarily lambing in December, their tupping 
ason is not later than July ; while for raising early house- 
,mbs which, in Dorsetshire, Somersetshire, and Hampshire, are 
tting fat before Christmas — the bleating of lambs in October 
jid November being a strange sound to a North-country visitor 
-the ewes are put to the ram in May and June. In hilly, moor- 
nd, and mountain districts, the tupping season varies from 
e latter part of October to the latter part of November, and 
to December upon the Welsh mountains and the Lake 
|istrict and Yorkshire fells. 
I A young active ram is generally put to about sixty ewes, an Number of 
der ram to about forty. It is customary to ochre the ram ^° ^ 
ulerneath, so that progress or want of activity may be watched Marking the 
the marks left upon the ewes ; and calculation as to the fall """"i- 
lambs early or late in the season is sometimes assisted by 
iing upon the ram red ochre for one week, blue for the next, 
id another colour for the next. 
Treatment of Lambing-Ewes and preventing Abortion. — Good Treatment of 
lanagers endeavour to avoid the two extremes of stinting and l^^^'^'ng ewes, 
eakening ewes, and of having them in too high a condition on 
jimulating food. It is found wise to give turnips or cabbages 
l)aringly, and not to fold in-lamb ewes upon swedes in the 
ens following hoggetts or other sheep. Swedes and mangolds 
;e best given after lambing. A suitable food for in-lamb ewes is 
|ulped roots mixed with straw-chaff, with hay accessible in cribs, 
Jid a daily allowance of a mixture of foods, as crushed oats, 
leans, malt-coombs, and oilcake. But almost every good farmer 
,as his own system and quantities of extra food for his lambing- 
i«res. 
A well-sheltered lambing paddock, fitted with small straw- 
