12 BULLETIN 573, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
Care after breeding.—After breeding, the ewes ordinarily require 
no special care or feed until winter. If the waste feeds in the fields 
are sufficient, there is no better practice than to allow the ewes to 
run in the fields until snow falls. It is important to remember, 
however, that the effect of inadequate feed may not be readily ob- 
served at this season because of the long fleece on the ewes. Methods 
of feeding ewes during the winter are further discussed in the chapter 
on feeds and feeding. ; 
Care of the ram.—In summer, a small separate pasture is usually 
provided for the ram. The farm orchard is a convenient and satis- 
factory place for this purpose. During the breeding season, if there 
are a large number of ewes to be bred to one ram, he is kept by him- 
self during the day and is fed oats and bran in addition to hay or 
pasture. The care of the ram in winter is much the same as that 
for ewes, except that only a few flockmasters feed roots to the ram, 
and these only sparingly, whereas a large number of sheepmen feed 
roots to ewes. : 
LAMBING. 
Lambing ordinarily occurs in February or early in March. <A few 
days before lambing the ewes are placed in a sheltered yard or shed. 
The grain rations are greatly reduced. In some cases, when the ewe 
shows signs of lambing within a day or two, she is placed in a pen 
by herself. If there are any loose, dirty locks of wool around her 
udder they should be removed. The ewe is carefully watched but 
not disturbed. If she has had plenty of exercise and has been well 
cared for, little trouble should be experienced in lambing. 
The lambing period is one of the most important of the year, and 
successful lambing requires almost constant attention by the herds- 
man. Occasionally it is necessary to assist the.ewe because of a diffi- 
cult presentation of the lamb, but the chief need is to assist the weak 
lambs immediately after birth. If the lamb is chilled, it is taken to 
a room where a fire is kept burning and warmed by blankets and 
rubbing. A common practice is to dip the chilled lamb into a pail 
of water as hot as the hand can bear. The lamb is then carefully 
dried, given a few spoonfuls of its mother’s milk, and returned to the 
ewe. The use of warm blankets is to be preferred to dipping in hot 
water. Milk, freshly drawn from the mother ewe, should always be 
given a weak lamb as soon as possible. A tub or half barrel, bedded 
with straw and containing a jug of hot water covered with a blanket, 
is a good place for keeping the lambs while they are being warmed 
and fed. As soon as possible, the lamb should be returned to its 
mother. 
In many cases, particularly with young ewes and those which have 
been fed a ration of hay only, there is difficulty in inducing the ewe 
to allow the lamb to nurse. In such a case, the ewe should be held 
