133333 
1846 . 
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THE CULTIVATOR. 121 
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ICELAND SHEEP.—(Fig. 35.) 
Excepting the dog, no species of domestic animals 
presents such remarkable variations of character as the 
sheep. What a contrast, for instance, is shown by com¬ 
paring the soft and beautiful covering of some of the 
Spanish breeds with the hairy and shaggy fleeces of the 
argali, the musmon, or some of the wild races of the 
Asiatic mountains! Again, a diversity no less striking 
is seen by comparing the small, light, smooth head of 
the Leicester, with that of some of the Tartarian, or 
the Iceland sheep; the latter in some instances carrying 
four or five, and even eight horns, of from a foot to 
more than two feet in length. 
In noticing Mr. Morrell’s « American Shepherd ” 
last month, we gave a cut of a 44 fat-rumped” ram. We 
now present a cut of an Iceland sheep, with three 
horns. The number of horns constitutes the chief pecu¬ 
liarity of these sheep, though they are very useful in 
the country to which they belong, being hardy, and ob¬ 
taining their living in the barren and rugged parts of 
that island without attention from man. Their size is 
medium—their fleece thick, but rather coarse, and only 
calculated for inferior fabrics. Some of our readers may 
recollect having seen for several years, one of this 
kind of sheep with four horns, at the farm of Mr. Pren¬ 
tice, near this city. 
We make another extract from Mr. Morrell’s book 
on the subject of 
PARTURITION OR LAMBING. 
“The usual period of gestation with the ewe is.five 
months, or an average of 152 days. 
The proper time for parturition must be determined 
by circumstances, of which climate and locality are the 
most prominent, and these the flock-master must steadily 
keep in view. The month generally selected in the 
Northern and Middle States is May, the vicissitudes of 
the climate forbidding an earlier period, unless in in¬ 
stances where buildings are provided for shelter, the 
expense of which is greater than the majority of far¬ 
mers are willing to incur. 
The ewes during pregnancy should be disturbed as 
little as possible, and every attention paid to the quan¬ 
tity and quality of their food. Ewes, however, should 
not be kep t fat at this stage; indeed this state is inju¬ 
rious, as it predisposes them sometimes to abortion; 
but what is usually termed “good store condition” 
should be maintained through the whole period of ges¬ 
tation. Neither should ewes be exposed to storms and 
cold during the winter and early spring months, but 
thoroughly protected from both. It cannot be expect¬ 
ed from any domestic animal a 
healthy offspring, in our rigorous 
climate, if the dam has been per¬ 
mitted to suffer the hardships of cold 
and starvation; therefore it will be 
wise if the sheep husbandman will 
always hold up to view the apo¬ 
thegm,. 4 so the dam, so the offspring.’ 
There must be condition to sustain 
the mother in the trying hour of 
lamb -birth; and like good condition 
is equally necessary to sustain the 
lamb subsequently, and impart to 
it sound constitution, size, and 
thrift. 
The field chosen for the ewes to 
fold should be dry, free from stumps, 
open ditches, and possess as level a 
surface as possible, as in little hol¬ 
lows ewes are liable to be cast , 
which is caused by lazily stretching 
themselves in sunny weather, when 
in a lying posture. In this situation 
they will often be found flat on 
their backs and violently kicking 
the air, without the power of re¬ 
covery, until aided; and if unseen 
by the shepherd, death will follow 
sometimes in a few hours. 
But perhaps no field affords that 
smoothness of surface to prevent 
these too often fatal occurrences, and therefore the du¬ 
ty devolves upon the shepherd of passing leisurely over 
every part of the field, several times during the day, to 
guard against them. But this duty must not be delayed 
until some of the ewes have dropped their lambs; he 
must commence his career of watchfulnesss at least ten 
days before, for it is very common with ewes that are 
in over good condition to be found in this perilous situ¬ 
ation some days before their time. 
44 The lambs of fine-wooled sheep are extremely sen¬ 
sitive to cold and wet when they drop, and to guard 
against exposure, the sheep-master must endeavor to 
anticipate storms, and place his flocks beforehand un¬ 
der shelters. These should be capacious, as the ewe 
dislikes too much company at the time of parturition, 
as will be noticed in her retiring often quite distantly, 
if in a field from the rest of her companions, when the 
event is about to transpire. In such instances where 
no sheltering is provided, greater labor and vigilance 
must be employed, the presence of the flock-tender 
being constantly needed, with his bottle of warm milk, 
and putting the more helpless in a large basket, lined 
with hay or straw, and bringing them before the fire 
for an hour or more, until animation is restored. When 
lambs are separated from their dams under such circum¬ 
stances, care should be observed not to have them 
wrapped or touched with anything that is offensive, as 
its scent, when very young, is the principal source of 
recognition by the mother. A clean blanket or woolen 
cloth will be best, if swaddling should be found neces¬ 
sary. 
44 If the season has been unpropitious for early grass, 
and consequently the keep during parturition too low, 
the flock should have the run of two lots, which should 
adjoin, and the communication at all times kept open. 
The adoption of this course prevents the confusion inci¬ 
dent to changing the whole flock at once. 
44 The number of ewes herding together at this im¬ 
portant period should not exceed one hundred, and a 
still less number will result advantageously to both the 
flock and master. He should at all seasons keep before 
him the fact, that a few sheep kept together will do bet¬ 
ter than many, which will be more particularly en¬ 
forced hereafter.” 
Cure for Diarrikea. —A certain cure for this com¬ 
plaint is found in rice water. Boil the rice, take the 
water, make it palateable with salt, and drink it copi¬ 
ously while warm. We never knew this to fail. 
