366 
On the Breeding, Feeding, Sfc. of Sheep. 
given to tliein ; they were weighed again on the 10th of Juh, and 
I found they had increased in weight IGjlbs. each. Another lot 
of lambs were weighed on the 10th of June, and continued with 
the ewes on good white clover ; the lambs had, apart from the 
ewes, in a ])en, tares and water given to them : these were also 
weighed again on the 10th of July, and gained only Ti^^lbs. each, 
shou-ing a difference for early weaning, of 3| lbs. each lamb on the 
average ; the weather was very hot and dry all the time. After 
this trial they were put together, and continued to be fed the same 
through the winter. Both lots were weighed again in the Febru- 
arv following, when I found that those weaned early gained in 
weight 5^ lbs. each more than the other lot, which proves that 
lambs weaned earlv winter the best. 
The weaning of lambs properly, and their subsequent treat- 
ment, is one of the most important branches in the management 
of sheep. If they are not attended to at this critical period very 
frequently they will soon go wrong, and the loss be very great ; 
they will have a fever upon them ; many will die, and those that 
survive will not get over it for manv months. I have found the 
follov.ing recipe (extracted from an old book on farming) of great 
benefit to lambs when they scour, and I am never without it: — 
Epsom salts 6 ounces. 
Kitre, in powder .... 4 ,, 
Boiling water 3 pints. 
Pour the water hot upon the salts and nitre ; with new milk 
(warm) add spirit of turpentine, 4 ounces ; bol ammoniac in 
powder, ^ an ounce ; mix and shake them well together. If 
necessary repeat the drink every day or two. About 3 or 4 
table spoonfuls may be given to a sheep for a dose, and lambs 
in proportion to their size. 
I would recommend the manner which I adopt with my lambs 
when they are weaned, which is always to leave the lambs in the 
pasture that they are accustomed to for a few days, and take away 
the ewes to another and a distant close, that the lambs may not hear 
them bawl ; if this be attended to they will lie quiet, and scarcely 
trouble themselves about their dams, but will disperse themselves 
over the pasture ; whereas in the common way, by taking away' the 
lambs to a pasture they have not been used to, they will lie at the 
gate they are put in at, fret and bawl, eat scarcely anything, and if 
the weather be unfavomable, and the pasture not suited to them, will 
frequently go the wrong wav. I prefer old keep, which has been 
eaten in the spring, whether sainfoin, red clover, or grass, to any 
of these that has previously been mown ; but I believe no food so 
injurious to young lambs at this time as old white clover stubble, 
which is generally in a dry state in the month of July, and will • 
very often cause them to scour very much, and consequently be in 
