The Breeding and Feeding of Sheep. 
631 
Later on, the necessity for quiet is increased. Only last lambing we 
liad an instance of tliis. The ewes, when within a few days of lamb- 
ing, were disturbed by some students, who tried to catch them, and 
numerous dead lambs and cases of false presentation resulted. 
In breeding it is always desirable to use first-class rams. The 
males should be of higher quality than the females ; but more espe- 
cially is it important to select the very best animals to put on young 
ewes, for the character given to the first produce will often come out 
again. About this there cannot be the least doubt. With regard to 
the proportion of male and female lambs, and the fall of double or 
single lambs, it has been supposed that the condition of the parents at 
tupping influences the result. Young vigorous rams will get the 
larger part of their stock male ; doubles depend very much upon the 
condition of the ewes. If ewes are poor and doing badly, doubles will 
be scarce ; if in good, hard condition, and rather improving, we may 
expect more doubles. The nature of the farm as affecting the quality 
of the food has also a good deal to do with this. 
Mabkinq Eams — THE Washpool. 
The plan of marking the breast of the ram with ruddle is conve- 
nient, as enabling us, by alteration of the mark, after three weeks, to 
draw out the forwardest ewes for the pen. The ram remains for six 
or eight weeks ; after which the barren ewes may be withdrawn, being 
proved by a teazer marked a different colour. 
Where a convenient washpool exists on a farm, it will be foimd very 
desirable to swim the ewes occasionally, though of course, unless great 
care is exercised, this might be attended with risk when they are in 
lamb. Their skin is apt to become dry and harsh ; the water cleanses 
the pores, and encourages circulation through the skin, and conse- 
quently relieves the central organs, which are always more or less 
taxed in sheep. In the case of fevers, especially when these result 
from hard keeping, swimming will prove most advantageous. From 
eight to ten days should always elapse between washing and shearing, 
in order that the yolk may rise. 
Food after Lambing. 
The ewes after lambing continue on turnips and swedes. Good 
crops of the former may be obtained after early vetches. At this time 
the proportion of dry food must be lessened, and a few mangolds in- 
troduced. Lambs soon leam to run through lamb hm-dles and may 
have a fold ahead supplied with a small quantity of artificial food, 
consisting of pounded linseed-cake, bruised oats, pot bran, and malt 
combs, in equal proportions. The quantity consumed will be very 
small, as the great object is to teach them to eat, so that when owing to 
a change of food the lambs require better treatment, no time may be lost. 
The management of the yoimg lambs for the first five or six months is 
the most difficult. They are very suscei:)tible of unfavourable influences, 
and bad food for two or three days only will often permanently check 
their growth. As soon as the root crop is cleared off, couples go on 
