The Republican journal., 1903-10-08
1HF LANDING SEASON.
+ sketch or Ranch Life by a Belfast
Boy.

form some idea OF the noise pro-
z py a band of young lambs. There
.aices of all kinds, from a high
no to a deep baritone, and when
are putting in their best efforts |
minded of Methodist Sunday
NJ concert, when the infantile
IS attempt to sing. There is. how
.onsiderable music in their voices
one considers the fact that each
producer is worth at least S1.50.
p season for lambing is probably
Iost important and anxious period
T. year to a sheepman, and is at
Al with a great deal of care and
work. 1t usually begins the first
ay and continues from four to six
s A band of two thousand ewes
rs four and perhaps six men in
lance during this time, the num-
-auired depending upon the facili-
me has for caring for the lambs
he mildness of the weather. There
nous ideas advanced relative to
est method of caring for the young
. some prefer thick, heavy growth
others pens located at differ
mnts on the range; while Others
the band out among the hills, and
.. upon "rim rocks" and "cut
for shelter. All sheepmen agree
lght roof shed is the most deSir-
It as they are quite expensive to
ld keep III repair but few are as
Sc III this section.
mites of the men lambing a band
..u are something as follows: The
the work, who should be, and
5. an experienced man, decides
ne different bands shall range,
10 mix the different punches,
nr the weak, finds mothers for
.herless. and has an eye on every
round camp. The drop band
who herds that band, locates and
,sary assists the lambs as soon
are born. The follower OF the
I'D gathers all lambs dropped
he day at one place, cares for
uuiring attention and sees that
Ole precautiOn is taken against
IL the night; and the herder of
band looks after such sheep as
abs able to follow their mothers
the range.
L pleasant weather it is inter
get exasperating work: but
Jr weather is cold and stormy |
.,uOW of a more nerve-racking
.hen it is an all-hours PROPOSE
... one is wet, cold, and generally
Then, when after all the work,
4 trouble the lambs persist in
ue feels like quitting. On fair,
lays the young lambs gather
- very rapidly after birth, and a
.-reentage require but little at
but on cold, wet days they will
ny quickly, especially if there is
3iting wind. Then it is that the
.er obliged to work very hard. A
mast be carried to shelter and
.l as soon as born. Often the pen
nth of a mile away. Sometimes
tler will follow, but more often
-u she has to be caught and
pulled, or carried to the lamb.
lble. however, is not yet over,
little fellow being weak and
d ike Mark Twain's seasick in
afraid he wont die, objects to
punishment. but lying supinely
- de refuses absolutely to suckle.
lime it is not an infrequent oc-
that there is a swish through
thud and the soul of the OBJ
title atom of animal flesh has
through the portals of the
leaven, while the eXasperated
g1es back to his band.
wlll suppose, however, that his
or is of the enduring kind, and
-uts a quarter of an hour or more
ing milk down the lambs throat,
dnwhile objecting with both voice
.rrt: and having fed it sufficiently
'uns to his band to find chem scat
and by the time they are gather
lether again he sees another, or
lp7 several, who likewise require
ion, and again its the same old
Nights the situation is, if possi-
'orse, for the darkness makes it
ltticult to move about among the
and it is not so easy locating the
rs. The same general routine is
.ted, however, excepting that the
I'd iambs are placed near a fire to
-I, and their recuperative powers
rltainly surprising. l have seen a
10 all appearances lifeless, that IN
purs time, after being placed near
81, on its feet, uttering its plalntlve
.or food. During the days and
iust mentioned one eats as op-
lulty offers; standing; on the run,
By old way. Usually one is in a
.Ic state of hunger and is always
, to demonstrate the fact.
mbS are mean animals to drive.
VIII lie down under sage-brush,
until the band is nearly out of