of perfection, than, having accomplished this result, to maintain them in equal quality. If there are other flocks from which rams of similar character, but of distant relationship, may be procured, the difficulty is decreased materially, for then it becomes a simple question of selecting ewes having similar deficiencies, and rectifying these by the use of a ram well developed in these particulars. When a flock has been brought to a very eminent position, breeders are jealous of having to introduce the blood of their rival breeders; hence this point has to be gained in another way. Mr. Pawlett, a ram breeder of high repute, and the author of an Essay on Sheep, says:

*

"From a long experience and close attention to the subject for more than 20 years, my mind seems more disposed to favour breeding in and in, rather than changing from one flock to another. I do not recommend that animals closely allied should be put together generally, yet I have known a very good sheep, for instance, produced by putting the son of a ram called A to a daughter of A, in cases where their points would suit each other, and I should never hesitate to do so."

Mr. Robert Smith, whose reputation as a ram breeder is equal to that of Mr. Pawlett, and who is the author of the Prize Essay on Sheep,† takes a very different view of it. He says:

"With crossing and breeding in and in, I have been lamentably disappointed, there being no dependence on the first, and no size to be procured in the latter; even in "breeding in the line," much depends upon the union or knowledge of matching the male and female, particularly if selected from different families even of the same race, which have been for some time raised in other localities, and consequently influenced by climate, soil, situation, and treatment. When using rams of the same flock, they should by no means be used nearer than a third remove in the same line of blood. I have, by repeated experiments, experienced by the nearer affinities of blood the most decided disappointment, but have raised some first-rate animals by putting the third removes together when attention has been previously paid to the sort required."

This is the experience of two celebrated ram breeders, and it is worthy of our careful consideration. Thus, whilst Mr. Pawlett does not recommend, but still does not object, to breed together a ram and ewe which are the offspring of the same ram, Mr. Smith considers it objectionable to breed so close, and he finds the offspring of two such sheep to produce the best stock when the third removes are brought together. In the former case, the ram A stands in the relationship of sire to the two sheep to be bred together; in the latter case, he stands as great grandsire to both. In this way, by diverging from a favourite sheep, we again converge, and probably produce one or more sheep of the utmost value to that flock, as presenting some distance in relationship without any sacrifice of family merit. This confirms the principle before explained of concentrating by every descent the peculiarities of the family instead of crossing, and thereby neutralising their hereditary peculiarities. Thus, " breeding in and in," and "breeding in the line," have both the effect of intensifying the powers of a sheep for the transmission of its hereditary character, whilst crossing must of necessity weaken it, because of the neutralizing action of any cross. There are objections to "breeding in and in," such as a decrease of size and an increasing delicacy of constitution; but no objection has been raised to it on the ground that the males failed to improve the character of the progeny. On the other hand, it has often been a subject of surprise, that males " bred in and in," and presenting a weedy appearance, should, when crossed with inferior females, produce offspring far more perfect than either of the parents.

Having noticed the principles of breeding, I now glance at the practice. The first step is to decide upon on the produce required. If it should be required to produce first-class rams, then the foregoing principles must be carried out in all their integrity, and the great object should be to keep the produce up to the standard of quality, whilst, at the same time, the breeder is concentrating in them the influence which renders them most valuable. When the object is simply to produce mutton, it is clearly best to secure a male with a powerful aptitude for the formation of fat, and possessing this hereditary power of transmission in a very strong degree; but, as regards the female, it is desirable to secure a good nurse, a strong constitution, and a system generally well developed. In short, where mutton is the sole object, the ram should be qualified to impart a good development of system, and the ewe should be prepared to bring these qualifications to full maturity. Whatever may be the breed or breeds which other circumstances may render the inost desirable, the same course has still to be adopted.

When fat lamb is the breeder's object, the peculiar qualifications of the ewe remain the same as before; but the ram should be especially predisposed to early maturity, and the more fully he has the power of imparting this to his progeny, the more valuable he will be as a fat-lamb breeder. In this respect scarcely any breed equals the Leicester. I have tried South Down, Leicester, and Cotswold rams for this purpose, with South Down ewes. The Leicester produce was heavier than the pure Down produce, and ready for the butcher two or three weeks earlier. The produce of the Cotswold ram was as much after the Down, and decidedly the most difficult to fatten. They seemed to grow rather than fatten, and, from subsequent observation of their lambs, it appeared to me that, to use the Cotswold to the greatest advantage, the ultimate heavy weight must be looked forward to, rather than early fattening. When they have made their growth, they will fatten more rapidly than previously.

The selection of breeding sheep having been made, the next step is to decide upon the best time for lambing. Local experience can alone determine this point; and all that I can add thereto is a caution not to be so early as to have the lambs checked in their growth. After receiving such a check they never progress with equal rapidity afterwards, and later lambs often overtake and pass them. From the end of January to the beginning of March is the usual time for lambing to commence, according to the climate of the neighbourhood, except in the case of house-fed lamb. This being decided, the time for putting the ewes to the ram is readily calculated.

The period of pregnancy in the ewe is 152 days, or nearly 22 weeks. Mr. Pawlett took particular observations on a large flock for two years, and he found that

The longest time any ewe went with a ram lamb

Weeks. Days.

was 22

a ewe lamb

4 22 2

..

The mean of these four periods is 151 days, which is exceed

ingly near the usual time.

A month or five weeks before the ewes are put to the ram, I find it a good plan to improve their keep, and get them into somewhat better condition. If they are in poor order at the time the ram is turned in with them, they take the male in a very straggling manner; whereas, if got tolerably forward they take the ram quickly, and the result is, that they lamb very near together. In this manner I have had 240 ewes out of 270 lamb within four weeks of their commencing to lamb. This saves a great amount of labour, for a long and tedious lambing time is very wearying work for shepherds. As the ewes take the ram they should be marked. This I have done at the end of each week, when they are plainly branded 1, 2, 3, &c., showing the week in which they took the ram; and in the same way I have those marked which turn again to the ram, and thus the shepherd knows the week of each ewe's lambing.

During the time ewes are in lamb they should be kept in fair condition, and neither rendered fat by too much food, nor almost starved for want of proper supplies. The injurious tendency of these practices I have already shown. Moderate supplies of food, so as to keep them in fair healthy condition, is best for them. Food of bad quality should be avoided, and also excessive quantities of turnips. When ewes are eating turnips the hay-rack should accompany them, as the hay gives a firmness to the food, and is exceedingly desirable. They should have a dry and comfortable ground to lie upon. If kept on damp and exposed ground, and the weather becomes severe, they are apt to have the lambs killed before birth, and they are far more subject to this when the food is inferior in quality and deficient in quantity.

Nature requires that this should be a period of quiet and repose; anything like fast driving or frightening them should be carefully avoided. Much injury and trouble-far more than we generally imagine-result from sheep dogs. For my own part, I am exceedingly scrupulous in allowing their use, and especially after the ewes have gone to the ram. When sheep are kept on open land, sheep dogs are necessary, and also, under certain circumstances, they are necessary on more enclosed ground. I wish, however, to give a caution in passing, as I am convinced it is a cause of much trouble in the lambing season. Sheep dogs may be necessary on most farins, but their employment may be limited in the majority of cases with considerable advantage.

When the period of lambing approaches, convenient and comfortable arrangements should be made for the accommodation and care of the ewes and lambs. Few farms have sufficient yard accommodation for the ewes to be lambed in conveniently, and hence, in the majority of cases, it will be desirable to make a lambing fold somewhere near the homestead. For this purpose a dry spot should be selected, and a space proportioned to the number of ewes should be enclosed. Hurdles or wattles may be used, and, a double row having been firmly fixed around the space between them, may be filled with straw, and thus a sheltered inclosure is made. This fold is now divided into two generally equal portions, from east to west, and on the north side of the fold a series of little pens are made, each being about one hurdle square, and these are also separated by straw and double hurdles, and enclosed in front by an ordinary hurdle. If the ewes were going to lamb at the rate of fifty a week, I should have twenty such pens made, and, if the room on the north side of the fold is not sufficient, then use the east side in the same way; thus a favourable aspect is secured, and, by the temporary roof thrown over, the sheep have thus an excellent shelter prepared for them. The whole is well littered with straw.

A fold having been constructed in this manner, the ewes which are due the first week should be separated from the others a few days before their time is up, and brought into the outer fold every night. As they show signs of lambing, or as they lamb, they are taken into one of these pens, and there kept for two, three, or four days, according to the strength of the ewe and lamb. As soon as they are strong enough, they may be let out

of the pen into the inner fold in which the pens are situated, and here they can enjoy this increase of liberty until strong enough to be put upon a neighbouring paddock. This should also be provided with some temporary shelter, under which they may take refuge from cold and wet. Many may consider this too much trouble, and not worth doing. To such I only say, carelessness and indifference for the comfort of stock are not without a just recompense, and the loss both of ewes and lambs is the tax to be paid for such neglect. I have for many years tried this plan, and proved its decided economy; for, not only have the losses been very much reduced, but the lambs have improved as a body to such a degree, as alone to repay all the expense.

The fold being prepared as described, the comfort of the shepherd has now to be provided for. Much depends on his care and attention, and these cannot be expected unless the master shows some consideration for his comfort. It often happens that some small shed can be devoted to his use, near which the fold can be made, and in this shed he should have the convenience of making a fire. Many a time have lambs been saved by being brought to it for the night, especially when they have been dropped in rough weather, and got chilled. In the same way a supply of new milk may be warmed for any weakly lambs; and the shepherd should always carry a bottle in his breast-pocket, so as to keep it warm, and be at hand when specially required. The shepherd should also have a supply of gin and peppermint, which he should carry with him, and give a little to any lamb which may not be exactly comfortable, but still not so bad as to require to be brought home. Armed with these preparations, the shepherd is to a great extent safe from bad seasons and inclement weather, and, at any rate, it is always satisfactory to feel that every necessary provision has been made for the care of the flock.

It will be found a good plan, after a ewe has had a rather protracted labour, to give her two ounces of Epsom salts, and one or two drachms of laudanum, as this will have a tendency to keep down inflammation; but, if she is much exhausted, half a pint of warm gruel and a quarter of a pint of beer will revive her. If there is much pain, add two or three drachms of laudanum, and when the gruel is repeated, put into it two drachms of the sweet spirits of nitre. The following oils will be found very serviceable, and tend to prevent inflammation of the excited parts. The mouth of the womb (vagina) should be dressed over with some, and a small quantity may be poured into the bag, or uterus :