THE FARM.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 932, 10 January 1890, Page 18

THE FARM.

MANAGEMENT OF A EWE FLOCK IN IRELAND. be Pg Scotch and It. 1 ,<J©]yni»£ ? .?f Sheep and English a., •--**. » ftocfc &£ pjyes are Wool to bosr n. -'■'Ms fienk oft j#p Iggd managed in Ireland. Right Hon. or halt.bred ewes belongs to u.. - -»f the the Earl of Lucan, and ts kept on one . finest laid out farms in Europe. The farm lies near to the town of Ballinrobo, Co. Mayo. Its acreage is over 2.200 acres, of which 1,700 is arable. The fields vary in size from 20 to 60 acres, and each field is surrounded by a stone and lime wall 0$ feet high. The gates are made of iron, and the posts are of cast-iron. The flock is managed by thtee Irish shep. herds and a Scotch manager. The 1,200 ewes are equally divided into three lots of 400. Each shepherd had a red paint mark on his iot so that he might know them among3t his neighbours. Lord Lucan’s crown brand was put on '.he left side. I may mention that each shepherd had hia own sheep, and no shifting from one to another ; also the third part of the farm to look aftex. The ewes were bred off Cheviots, imported from Scotland, and Border Leicester rams. The rams were bred on the farm, and kept up by imported rams from Scotland. In 1886 we had one of Mr Mark of Craigcnd'e

rams. Last year another from the late Mr Melville, Bonnington. On the Ist of August we carefully looked over all the flock, and had all the poorest put on the best pasture. Again on the first September we had them all oarefully examined, and any that wero Dot taking on condition as they should we had put among the poor lot, and any of the poor lot that were in good condition we put them back to the good lot. On the 6th of October we put the ewes on rape four hours daily for fourteen day’s. We had them in two lots of 355 ; first lot in the forenoon,’ second in the afternoon. As we had only rape for the ewes, the gimmors got no extra feeding. On the fifteenth w e dipped all the sheep with a bath of MoDougall's and Cooper’s in equal proportions. On the 20th October we had two days at the fauld, classing and putting out the rams. Each ram got 40 selected ewes. On the 28th the rams were admitted to the gimmers. We keeled the breasts of the rams each morning.—first with blue and a little oil mixed together. When the first 450 were marked, we changed to red. After 900 were marked, black was the colour used. This left us with thre9 lots to bring into the lambing faulds. After three weeks we ohanged the one ram to the other ewes, which gave them the chance of two rams. I find by doing this we have fewer barren cases.

At the end of seven weeks we took out the rams, and put them on a good Held of clean pasture, with lib of oats and lOlbs each of Swedish turnips daily. At the same time, we carefully looked over all the ewes, and any that were showing signs of losing condition we put on the best pasture, and gave them daily of the best oats. Again in three weeks we did the same, as in this wet country sheep lose condit on very fast. About the first January we gave of oats daily to molt of the ewes ; but any that were in good condition were left aa long as they could feud on the lea-fields. About the Ist of March they were all getting oats. Instead of giving turnips to.our poor ewes, we kept them up by giving them oats. I find oats better than turnips for this purpose, and there are fewbr deaths in the end, and stronger ewes, with hardier lambs. We began to give turnips to the ewes ten days before they commence to lamb. We never exceed 10cwt daily.to 100 ewes. When we Bee the first lamb, we have the first lambing ewes brought into tbe lambing fauld at night, and let out iuto a field of rough pasture in the daytime, giving them the oats and turnips in the forenoon. We have three lambing folds, one for each shepherd, and convenient for each walk, ’•’here are small pens around eaeh fauld for any ewe and lamb that require to be confined., The lambing faulds are each 100 yards s-quare, with a small hut in the corner for the shepherd.

Each shepherd gets an assistant to si t up night about, and both in the daytime, and a boy to carry the lantern and assist in the night time. In the daytime the shepherd is in the lambing-field, and the assistant looks after tbe sheep that are out on the walk. When lambing is going on, I go to each fauld, and brand all the lambs with a small L; then they are turned out to a field, the twins to one and the singles to another ; but any lambs that are not strong or requiring cow’s milk, are left near to the lambing faulds. Cow s milk is Sent to the lambing folds night and morning, as much as they require. While the lambing is going on the shepherd gets every attendance he requires. We give him no cause to complain, so that if any mistake arises it must be on his side. But I can truthfully say that I have never known a mistake for the past three years. Every ewe is seen to when she turns sick, and properly looked after in every way. As the wind is so changeable, we put the lambed ewes in fifties, so that they can be easily shifted from one place to another. The first five days after the lambs are about three weeks old, we take as many hurdles as make a f xuld to hold the fifty ewes and their iambs. By the time it is put up the shepherd has them at hand. ■ We put them in quietly. There%tre two wen catching and two holding. The shepherd castrates and I out off the tails. At the same time we clean all the filty from the ewes, then pass on from field to field.

When the lambing is finished the assis tants are paid off; and as the sheep are very bad for going on their backs, the shepherds walk their - ground three times daily before the wool is taken off them. On the first good day about the 20th of May, v e have all the ewes with single lambs brought to the folds, each shepherd with his own lot. I stand at the shedder, and pass the ewes to one small fauld, and lambs to another '; the second and third lot the same. It is most surprising to see how they crußh to get through when they are accustomed to it. We have a small pen at entrance, but we seldom require it, as the *“ ewsig sre so well accustomed to going through, As soon ag they are brought into the large fauld they make straight for the Bhedder. If the small pen gate is open, they are into the run at once without any driving. Then each shepherd takes his own lot to the river! . We let them rest, in a small field one hour before we begin to sjra¥|h- At the same time tbe --en eat their krezk S-ftd i?o F t ff . We have three men in the fiver, snd the shepherds is and out, Wksn £™ fc 1 06 ? ro driv. '—taken bagk tp tfiejr lgrpbs, washed tUbj ' -—free from flirty b a P?f9 aa and put on fields at. - lot the SftiftPpossible ; the second and tu.. *~*- days The ewes with twins are washed eig—«

later on. We give the ewes about ten days to dry, then the first good day brings 100 ewes to the clipping faulds. We take the lambs from them, and puttheminto afauld by themselves ; ami as each ewe is o ipped, she is branded end put iu amongst tbe lambs. By doing this we have do sheep running aboht. VI hen the first lot are nearly done, we have another 100 brought in, and the lambs taken out. when the first lot are finished they are taken back to the field. All this can be done without the shearers having to wait a Bingle moment. To clip 300 in a day, it takes ten shearers, two catching, two taking the shorn sheep to the branding pot, three girls rolling up wool, one man packing and a boy

giving him fleeces, and the manager to brand and superintend. [There is evidently some mistake in the figures hero. With the class of sheep mentioned, ten shearers ought to clip more than 300 iu a day. And even then, the two men taking sheep to the branding pot are superfluous. One man branding can do tbe work easily and promptly, branding each sheep on the clipping stool before its legs are untied.—Ed.]

The sheep dipper is made according to David Wood’s plan, but instead of having a small pen 1 have a 6hort shedder. Whew once the sheep are into it they cannot turn back. A man stands at the entrance to the tub to keep the sheep from going too fast through ; as our sheep are so well accustomed to the shedder they force to get through. The ewes are let out by a gate near the entrance to th 9 dipping trough, and the lambs are let through the bath. About eight days after the shearing is finished, we dip all the lambs with a bath of Bigg’s and Cooper’s, half-and-half, with a little soft soup. We wean the lambs about the 12lh of July. We brand all the ewe lambs on the leftside, and the wedder lambs on the right side. The ewe lambs are taken to another farm, and wintered and sent back in spring. The weddar lambs are sent to England to be fattened there on one of his lordßbip’a farms. Five days after weaning, we milk any of the hefted ewes ; then dip all the sheep we have on hand with a bath as before. After the ewes get settled a few days, we ha-is them brought to the faulds, and our etock ewes selected for another year. First, as they pass through the shedder, we put the two-year-olds with a back bit right ear iu a pen by themselves ; three-year-olds with a back bit left ear, and four-year-olds with a fore bit left ear, are put into separate pens. Again we pass them through the shedder, and look over the mouths of two and throe -year-olds, and any that we cast are let into a ssparate pen. At the end of our examination we have our stock of ewes thus, — two-year.olds, 394; three year-olds, 376 ; gimmers with a fore bit right ear, 430 ; total, 1,200. We keep up our stock with gimmers, aud oast all the four-year-olds, as we have always from 700 to 800 gimmets to draw from. Tbe breeding rains are kept up, as I have said, by imported rams every second y’ear. We keep about double the number of ram lambs we require, and that gives ua a good selection when they are shearlings. lam not like some active men that would cast aside a shearling and send to the hill a lamb ram. I prefer a shearling to a lamb, and a twu-year-old to a shearling, as the older the ram is I can judge him the better. I serve the ewes with rams from oue shear to five shear, and I have always had a crop of lambs that satisfied my employer.

BREEDING SHEEP. Modern requirements of mankind have stimulated the energies of the sheep breeder, who has brought care, judgment, wisdom, and experience to his aid ; in the improvement of this useful and valuable animal, earnest men have grown grey in the business to which the lives of father and son have been devoted. The success has beon marvellous ; original characteristics have disappeared and new ones have taken their plaoe. By close, careful study and selection they ha-e remodelled Nature’s work. Although Bakewell s name stands at the head of the list of sheep bleeders, there are in our own time men nearly as great, concerning many of whom we would speak, but we regret that oul space does not permit us to go deeply into this interesting question. In breeding sheep, the farmer, to be successful, must consider the general conditions of soil, climate, and vegetation, or his efforts will end in distaste. He must avoid all extremes, and must not aspire to the impossible ; he cannot breed Leicestera upon a heath, nor Southdowns upon a low, luxuriant pastiure. If fre be npw to the business he should get the aid of experienced men as far as possible, although these are useless unless they possess intelligence. Many men have rushed into sheep farming, and have by errors and mistakes failed where they should have made a fortune. In many of our polonies there is a splendid future before the sheep farmer, but tbe inexperienced must not run to the arid karoo of South Africa with Leicestera and Lincolns from the low, luxuriant meadows of England, but oarefully and wisely select those breeds which are suitable to the general surrounding circumstanoes of soil, climate, vegetation, markets, &c. Certain breeds of sheep have distinct natural habits, tendencies, and characteristics, and are specially adapted to peculiar necessities and circumstances. Thus the large animals, Cotswold, Linooln, Romney Marsh, Tees water, Leicester, &0., are sluggish, inactive animals, fond of luxuriant pastures, and lay on fat. The Black-face, Cheviot, Herd wick, and Welsh are very active ; they produce naturally little fat, but fine, delicate meat; tbe fat is well mingled with the muscles. Some sheep make batter return for good feeding fchao others, and thrive upon a less supply of food. Sheep-farming has many valuable points in which ihtolji&snce and enterprise may bo profitably used. By gb,94 management, green crops are rapidly converted into meat, and by giving sheep cake, hay, meal, corn. &c., their manuring value is yery great, and large crops may be grown aftpr them- Wifcji' flry food they fatten mmo r S pf4ly q.qd dpyelpp jnfo better apicr-pls, with greatgj: weight from high l§ndß pud soppd pastures —* more hardy aod hesltby tfosß are always * ~ J from low, damp lan-. SOIL. /r The character of the soil and its cobstituents, such as lime, chalk, phosphoric acid, &c., the breeder must consider, as one bind of land is suitable for brfeding, another for feeding or fattening. Light Beils : chalk, limestone, wolds and downs, are very good for breeding ; the lambs are strong, healthy, and hardy, and the sheep when breeding are healthy and sound —seldom suffering much from disease. Sandy and gravelly soils are also good and healthy, but they are generally deficient in lime, and Jess suitable for young stosk. Strong lands give good food,

hut they are not so good for sheep breeding, being generally too damp, and Gause more danger of disease amongst the lambs. Low lands fatten 3beep well, hut it is better to buy sheep for that purpo3a than to breed, as in wet seasons much loss will generally arise. Low damp lands are unfavourable for latnbß The strength and constitution of the offspring are much affected by the soil and food upon which ewes are kept before lambing time. BREEDING. In and in breeding is mating animals of the same flock, selecting those in whom the points required are the more strongly marked, to produce a uniform and systematic result. It is the means adopted by some to preserve the characteristics and qualities of certain breeds, and is a ready means of keeping up the features of the flock, but if followed too closely it generally results in loss of energy and vitality, and the flock becomes less prolific. It is best to obtain rams from another flock of the same breed, and keep as wide of relationship as possible. DEVELOPMENT OK CHARACTERISTICS IN A FLOCK. The ram has more influence upon the off. spring than the mother so far as relates to the colour and marking of the body, also as to bone, flesh, size of carcase, wool, <fcc. ; in fact, all the external points are developed by the sire, but the internal parts, disposition, constitution, vitality, &c., by the mother. Thus a Cotswold ram would give size, a Lincoln ram increase the' wool, but the lambs from a Blackface or Cheviot ewe would have the hardy character of the mother ; and those facts are important, and should be carefully considered by the breoder. (-'no class of animals may be wonderfully pro’ifio (>r ri nowned for size or f..r wool, or for hardines.*, &e ; the breeder must consider these io selecting his ewes or rams, and keep stea'blv in mind the points ho may want to develop CROSSING requires great care and judgment. Having once crossed, it is desirable to carry the cross back to the one pure breed or the other. The cross must not be too severe, nor the cen. trast too great at first. It must be remembered that cross-bred animals have a great tendency to levert, that is, the first cross often exhibit points, markings, and characteristics possessed by neither parent, but perhaps those of some auoestor of the one side or the other. It is, therefore, important to carefully cull the young sheep, for although the first cross may be a failure, a little patience and careful selection will remedy the evil which may have been developed by it. The Leicester is to all intents and purposes the first on the list of sheep for crossing, and very few of the modern breeds of sheep, if any, but have some strain of Leicester blood in thoir veins; the cross seems successful with nearly all breeds of sheep. Leicester ram with Southdown ewes gives a splendid specimen of the ideal sheep. The feeding, fattening qualities of the Leicester, added to the good flesh-forming and fine wool properties of the Southdown, make a breed of hardy animals, second to none for profit, early maturity with good quantity, the best mutton and heavy fleeces of splendid wool. Such animals always find a ready sale. LEICESTER WITH COTSWOLD. This is chiefly to give size and hardiness. Some very good results have attended this cross, especially in producing early maturity, with size, and when mutton is an object this makes a very profitable class of sheep. LEICBSTER WITH CHEVIOT. This produces most valuable animals, that are very hardy, live upon hilly and bare pasture and mature early. They have become very general, and produce both wool and mutton of excellent quality. These Bheep are well adapted for the pasture and climate of the south of Scotland, and might be cultivated in many parts of the colonies with great success. LEICESTER WITH BLACK-FACE is of a similar character, but the Leicester should be selected as hardy as possible for this purpose. The feeding and fattening propertiej of the Leicester, added to the lean good mutton and hardy character of tke Blackface, produce a class “of valuable animals for both wool and mutton. This cross has become very popular in Scotland, and very successful, producing a fine superior class of animal to the old Blackface. They generally find ready sale ; they mature early, and reach good size. Ewes for breeding purposes should be wide in the loins, broad in the back, fine about the neck and legs, but deep in the chest. Too much regard cannot be paid to the uniformity of the ewes ; they Bhould be * like peas In a pod they should all be from the same flock, have the same general oharacter, appearance, and tendencies, then you may expect a uniform' crop of lambs, and a uniform flock. All that which shows signs of deterioration should be got rid of. Only breed from the best and most regular animals. Ewes, be'ore they run with the ram, receive better attention and food ; and a very large increase of lambs takes place if they are fed on rape for a short time before and after the ram has been with them. The e■ es should be in good condition, as they bring a stronger and more numerous crop of lambs, besides increasing the chance of a larger proportion of twins. The time when rams should be admitted to the ewes depends upon many surrounding circumstances ; the peculiarity of the breed (hardy or delicate), if the lambs should be for breeding or fattening, the climate mild or severe, the character of the land, the supply of food, &c. Upon hill stations they must be later than upon low lands and sheltered places.

A PEST INDEED. In many parts of the ‘.' ! dld world, but Scotland in particular, there is a fatal disease among sheep* known by the name of ‘ louping-ill ’ or ‘ trembling.’ It is needless here to enter into a treatise on the disorder. Suffice it is to say that after special inquiry into the subject at the 1 expense of the Highland and Agricultural Society, Professor Williams and other eminent veterinary authorities were of opinion that tho disease was caused by ticks. This

theory, however, while it could never be proven, is strongly confirmed by the action of the Australian tiok on imported stock. Dr Bancroft, of Brisbane, reports that in Queensland the tick is unable to kill or even toinconvenience native animals, butitseffects on introduced animals are very fatal unless these be tick proof. Animals which have been seriously affected with ticks and have recovered, which is, however, a rare occurrence, become tiok proof. The native animals are tick proof by heredity. Two or three ticks are quite capable of killing a horse in a week or 10 days.- They would kill human beings were they allowed to remain long enough in the skin, but as they cause itrhiness the day after they have attached themselves, they are invariably found and pulled out. If a tick has remained in a dog several days and is then removed, the dog apparently being all right, it is too late to save his life. The paralytic symptoms will develop in due course. Prom this oue would imagine that the poison was of the nature of a ferment. The tick sucks blood cut of the animal on which it has attached itself, and presumably some secretion from the tick passes into the animal. The tick, after it has filled itself full of blood, which takes about a week, then falls off, and notwithstanding that its abdomen is 20 times or more larger than normal, it crawls away. In any case it will be singular if this Australian testimony should be required to prove what has long been surmised with respect to the tick in Europe, notwithstanding that both a r e of a totally different nature. —The Leader.

CAREFUL SELECTIONThe improvement of the herd simply by the process of selection may seem a very slow process, but let ua 3ee what is possible in five years. The dairyman has, say, 20 good cows, He introduces a' pedigreed bull, and at the end of the first year has his 20 good oows and 10 heifer calves —supposing the sexes to be . qual. At the end of the second year he has the 20 cows, 10 calves, and 10 yearling heifers. The third year he has 20 cows, 10 half blood calves. 10 yearling heifers, and 10 2-year-old heifers, and 5 f.blood heifer calves. The fourth year be has 20 cows, their 10 heifer calves, 10 yearling 4-bloo s, 5 .yearling f-bloads, 10 2-year-olds, with their 5 § blood calves, and 10 3-year-cld J-blond cows, with their f blood calves. At the end of the fifth year, the 20 original cows remain, with their 10 heifer calves, there are 10 yearling heifers, 10 2-year-old heifers, 10 3-year-old and 10 4-vear-old cows, with 15 f-blood calves, 5 yearling heifers, and 5 2-year-old f-blood heifers, with 2 or 3 J-blood heifer calves. This is possible, and shows how fast milking stock may be made to double up when all the females are saved. Each succeeding year would show a greater proportionate increase. The proportion of heifer oalves might be more or less than half during the short period of 5 years, but it would probably average about that. The increase is such that there is ample chance for selection, while the animals, male and female, sold would considerably increase the receipts, even if the milch cows are kept down to the original number of 20. To those who have never tried it, or witnessed the process of development, it is astonishing to observe the change and improvement i<> the appearance and quality of the herd from the third year, when the 2-year-old heifers come into milk and take the place of 10 of the original cows. JLhe change is complete at the end of the fourth year, only grades — 2 and 3 year 3 old— appearing,owith g and g blood coming on to fill their places. So is does not take so long after all, to transform a herd ; and, if the selection of blood is good, nothing pays the dairyman better, or gives him a warmer feeling of sati-faction.

NOTES FROM NATAL-. In order to attain any degree of success with sheep in Natal, it is necessary, in the first instance, to have plenty of room. Without this, indeed, it is useless to attempt to make thiugs pay, for it may almost be laid down as a maxim that fair profits as well as big profits, are only associated with broad acres. Sheep do nob take at all kindiy in these climes to narrow bounds. On the contrary a great deal of latitude, available at least, is a most important requirement. They will not with impunity be denied their fair Bhare of room, nor will they be eternally rounded, hampered, and restricted in their movements. These are conditions of life to which they strongly object, and under which they need never be expected to bring joy to the heart of the farmer. In fact they will speedily protest against any such treatment, and if the protest be disregarded, the result can only be a state of affairs both unpleasant and unprofitable. The sheep will be compelled to look to themselves for relief, no relief being forthcoming from the proper quarter. The animals would seem to realise that. the best has got to be made of a bad position ; that, if straitened, they must try and adapt themselves to their straitened circumstances. They cannot perhaps eniarge their territories, but they can certainly reduce their necessities, and this they forthwith proceed to do. . . Acting apparently on the principle . of giving their neighbours a chance, a portion persuade themselves that they are sick unto death, and retire accordingly. These are the chief performers. Others are actuated by different motives, and go and die out of sheer ‘ cussedness. ’ Some get jostled out of life, some get frightened out of it. This is continued until something like the proper order of things is restored, when there may be a cessation of rsal aotivities. But the stoppage is not immediate, and there are always accompanying dangers. For example, the sacrificial spirit is liable through oon. tagion, &c., to become so strong that the animals get carried under its influence much further than the absolute requirements of the case, before there is any slackening off at all. And the worst feature of the whole business is that it is not a ca*e of the survival of the fittest, certainly not of the best, where there would be seme little consolation. Nay, it is often quite the reverse of this, and in any case the survivors, good, bad, or indifferent, do not impress one with the idea that they have beenbaving a very, happy

j time of it amid the trials from which they have emerged. The moral is evident. Notwithstanding all this, however, it need hardly be stated that it may be inexpedient to allow the flocks too much liberty—it may often be necessary to put on reduced fare, to veto certain parts, •fee. It is plain too that suitability of pasture and management must have a considerable influence on result. There are degrees of the former ; and as to the latter, a small farm, other things being equal, well managed, may be made to produce better results than a large one badly managed. But small farms generally, whether pastoral or agricultural, are viewed with disfavour in Natal. Experience does not give a very glowmg report concerning them. It may, of course, be the fault of the experience. Even with such testimony, we must not presnme finality in our decision. None the less a goodly extent of domain is a very convenient and desirable possession at all times. In times of trouble is is a very present help. In the dry and wintry months of the year, of all season 3, its natural beauties stand out most clear and prominent. In regard to the ratio between sheep and acreage, it is not a matter of so many sheep to the aore, but of so many acres to the sheep. Iu such a oountry as onrs, the supporting capacity of the land must naturally vary considerably, even apart from the effort of the individual ; but from two to three acres per head may be taken as the average—two, say in the more midland, and three in the higher districts. Four thousand and six thousand acres are common and serviceable farms in Natal, and such would be stocked with perhaps from 1,500 to I 2,000 sheep, besides about 80 or 100 head of cattle, 8 or 9 horses, &c,, with a few pigs and a few fowls. The last is a very important item in a bachelor’s establishment.

The Premier of Cape Colony on introducing his annual budget said that * the export of grease wool in 1887 was 21,600,0001bs; in 18S8 it had increased to 40,800,0001b5, and the value had increased by £500,000 as compared with 1887, being £9->7,000 in 1888. If you take also the increase in value of fleece-washed and of scoured wool, and take these items together, it will be found that the increase in the value of the export of wool, the staple article in the colony iu 1888, was over half a million sterling. It is, in fact, half a million Bteiliug, as compared with 1887, in the pockets of the farmers and producers of the colony. I think that statement alone is sufficient to justify the observation; at any rate, as regards the wool farmers of the colony, that industry has flourished, and they are, in fact, in a far better pasition this year than a year ago,’