322 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
January 20. 
I could fill another sheet with notes on this place, i 
but, as I have already exceeded tho usual space allotted 
to me, 1 must conclude by saying that I was much 
gratified, and, I will add, instructed in many points, by 
my visit. In summer tho place must be beautiful; and, 
if 1 am spared, I will visit it at that season, and give a 
further report of the progress of the trees on these 
Glass Walls. I must, however, just notice that Mr. 
Ewing has invented a new kind of hot-water pipes, 
for which, if they answer his expectations, he intends to 
take out a patent. That fact, of course, prevents me 
saying another word about them, only this—I think 
they are very likely to supersede any now iu use. 
T. Appleby. 
THE MANAGEMENT OF LONG-WOOLLED 
EWES AND LAMBS. 
Having, in several former papers, gone into the ma- 
nagement of Down and other short-woolled sheep, it is 
now my intention to treat chiefly of the long-woolled 
breeds, such as the Cotswolds, Lincolns, Tceswaters, &c., 
although the same observations will apply equally well 
to other varieties, that is the Leicester's, Keuts, Devons, 
and the crosses. I propose to consider the best mode 
of management for Ewes and Lambs of these breeds 
when kept in pasture districts, or upon farms con¬ 
taining a small portion of arable and pasture land 
in connection. 
I have noticed, in nearly every county, that there are 
circumstances, in connection with soil and situation, 
which render a variation in the treatment of stock 
necessary, yet there are general rules which may bo said 
to apply in almost all cases where the breeds of sheep 
are nearly allied. In treating this subject, I think my 
object will he best attained by alluding to it under two 
separate heads—first, the method to be pursued in 
rearing fat Lambs; and, secondly, that required for the 
rearing ot stock Lambs for grazing at a future period, 
the first part of our subject is, certainly, a matter of 
great importance, and one upon which will, in a great 
measure, depend the profitable consumption of grass 
and other green food. I also intend to speak of stock 
kept upon farms consisting entirely, or iu greater part, 
of pasture land. The first object in raising fat Lambs 
should bo to select that breed or cross which will make 
the greatest weight of meat iu the least time, of that 
quality most in esteem by the purveyor and consumer. 
1 shall first observe, that although many advocate the 
pure breeds ot Leicesters, Cotswolds, and others, for 
rearing fat Lambs, yet the far greater number of graziers 
prefer a cross either of the South Down or Horned 
Dorset, these being both short-woolled breeds. This 
cross exercises a beneficial influence upon the wool, and 
general appearance of the Lamb; and in case of twin 
Lambs this is especially desirable, because they gene¬ 
rally require three weeks or a month extra keeping, 
during which period the pure long-woolled breeds be- 
como hollow in the coat, thereby depreciated in value 
as lat Lambs in*the live market; at the same time, it 
will be found that the quality of meat to the consumer 
will be improved in nearly the same proportion as the 
i general appearance is by the close wool. The cross of 
short-woolled sheep beiug advantageous in this case, it 
is best to decide which breed should have the prefer¬ 
ence. I think it must be admitted that tho Horned 
Dorset is the best cross of the two, for I find that the 
produce in Lambs will be greater than it will from the 
Down cross; and although there is no greater propensity 
to fatten at an early age in the produce of the former, 
yet it is equally so, and the greatly increased growth, as 
compared with the latter, makes tho former the more 
profitable. 1 can safely say, that I have often seen the 
most perfect fat Lambs that it is possible to rear from 
the Long-woolled Ewes when they have been put to the 
Horned Dorset Rams. Many persons, inexperienced in 
the result of such a cross, may fancy that the Lambs 
would come horned like the sire, but it is a fact, that 
ninety-nine out of every hundred will come polled 
Lambs. I mention this, because it is well known that 
horned Lambs arc not appreciated in the live markets. 
The Tup may be turned with the Ewes duriug the 
month of September upon farms consisting partly of 
arable, such land being generally tilled to produce root- 
crops for feeding Ewes and Lambs before the pastures 
are ready; but upon pasture farms the month of Oc¬ 
tober will be soon enough; for it is not desirable, iu 
this case, for the Lambs to come long before the grass 
is ready for feeding. 
The mode of keeping the Ewes during pregnancy 
must now be considered; and upon farms containing 
some arable land, where roots are cultivated, they may 
be made use of for feeding the Ewes, in connection with 
hay, duriug the winter months; but, at all times, care 
should be taken not to resort to root-feeding until all 
the grass is consumed, and this may be made available 
for a considerable time, when tho aftermath is allowed 
to accumulate and kept in reserve. The best roots are 
Cabbages; but failing these, the Swedish Turnips are 
better than auy variety of common Turnips. 
Again, upon a purely pasture district, the Ewes, not 
having the advantage of a root-crop, must be kept 
entirely upon grass or hay; and by carefully preserving 
grass in the pastures, such as may have arisen after 
the month of August upon auy dry soil, this grass, 
when held iu reserve for the wiuter, will furnish the best 
possible food for in-Lamb Ewes. The lambing-time 
for this description of stock is not usually attended with 
so much risk as those breeds which Lamb at an earlier 
season; and it is quite sufficient, where the farms are 
sheltered, to keep a shifting-fold on the driest pasture, 
and if screened from the north by fences it will then 
not be necessary to resort to the use of a shed and fold 
yard. It will, however, be quite requisite that great 
care and attention should be paid to this breed of Ewes 
at tho lambiug-time; for although much of the risk 
consequent upon bad weather will be avoided, yet the 
ordinary casualties which occur will demand the utmost 
vigilance of the shepherd by night and by day. The 
method of treating the Lambs whilst young, including 
castrating, &c., has been treated in detail in a former 
paper upon the management of Down Lambs for fattiug. 
