The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1878-05-30
Breeding and Management
of the CotsWolds.

haNc' slaHulng rather high upon
their legs, ana have a grand head.
The features are either white. gray
or notified, though We believe the
white nredomlnates. a little color
IN no way detracts from their alp
pearance or indicates lmpurity.
The head rather large-w;de be-
tween the eyes and across the fore
head, and eyes very full and prom
lnent. II IS considered very I'M
portant that the head should be
well-wooled, especially the fore
head and Uranium, and should the
locks fall down over the ewes and
nose. SO much the better. Occa-
%slonally the profile is slightly Ro-
man-which IS very Objectionable
to some, but not TO us.
The neck should be long and
rather thick, where it joins the
head and at the base. The carcass
long, level en- the back. The ribs
well sprung, the underlines, while
not 50 good IS the top ones, yet
moderately good, with generally
good TANKS. The thighs are full,
the leg of mutton being much more
developed than almost any other
breed; and, although there is a
great deal of external fat on the
back, which gives it a soft, springy
touch, yet there is an abundance Of
fine; lean meat to be found. Their
wool should be long, open, silky
and curly. They are very gentle,
with disposition the best.
With this brief and imperfect
description, We will give our ideas
how breeding ewes should be cared
for during their fall, winter and
spring management, taking first
their fall management.
Lambs of all breeds should be
weaned at about four months, and
should we have a very dry, warm,
sultry summer, the lambs a be
weaned earlier by three OF four
weeks. Young grass of any kino,
or the rover of meadows, is usu-
ally reserved for our lambs directly
after weaving.
The following directions are from
the Royal Agricultural Society's
prize essay on the management of
sheep, written by Mr.. Rob't Smith,
of Burley, 1S47, who, in speaking
Of the modes of weaving, fall feed
ing. ETC., of lambs, now practiced
in England, Git may interest some
breeders,) says: LAMBS should
never be placed upon rested, sum-
mer-eaten clover pastures, however
tempting they may appear, as they
invariably cause securing, fever
and other severe ailments. Old
grass, clover, or g~rass-eddish CATER
math) is preferable until the au-
tumn quarter commences, which is
considered an important one, as
much depends upon the manner in
which lambs are started, or taught
to eat their winter feed.
Gin the middle of September
the lambs II placed IN moderate
lots upon grass or seed as, from the
domestic habits peculiar to the
race, they are fond Of licking THEN
food at this season of the year,
cabbages being thrown to them
upon the pastures or cut for then
in troughs; after a short time, :
few white turnips + mixed with
them as a preparation for the win
ter. As October advances they are
placed upon the common or white
turnip. Some breeders mix a little
kale seed in the first sowing, which
is an excellent plan. After a shor
time the wether lambs are givel
one-quarter pound of oil-cake, Q
corn to that value, each, per day
At Christmas they are placed upol
the Swedes, which are cut for them
as also the white ones upon bat
LAYER"
1t is a common and truthful say
ing that a "sheep well summers
is half w~intered." Breeding eve
should be brought into good con
dition as soon as practicable afte
weaving of lambs. 1t is a point Q
great Importance of having you
ewes in good condition for the win
ter months, because 1t admits 0
no doubt that this, far more tina
any other one item Of management
constitutes the sheet anchor OF al
successful sheep farming. tt
stated upon good authority that
flock of ewes in inferior condition
and at the same time getting worse
will not take the ran near SO fas
as when you have your ewes ]
good condition and improving. :
flock in high condition is ofte
served in from thirty to forty day;
The time and trouble saved in hay
ing the lambs yeaned in a few day
of each other-an6 the lambs al