"The manner of treating rams has lately received a very great
improvement. Instead of turning them loose among the ewes at large, as
heretofore, and agreeably to universal practice, they are kept apart, in
a separate paddock, or small enclosure, with a couple of ewes only each,
to make them rest quietly; having the ewes of the flock brought to them
singly, and leaping each only once. By this judicious and accurate
regulation, a ram is enabled to impregnate near twice the number of ewes
he would do if turned loose among them, especially a young ram. In the
old practice, sixty or eighty ewes were esteemed the full number for a
ram. [Overtaxing the male gives rise to weak and worthless offspring.]
"The period during which the rams are to go with the ewes must be
regulated by climate, and the quantity of spring food provided. It is of
great importance that lambs should be dropped as early as possible, that
they not only be well nursed, but have time to get stout, and able to
provide for themselves before the winter sets in. It is also of good
advantage to the ewes that they may get into good condition before the
rutting season. The ram has been known to live to the age of fifteen
years, and begins to procreate at one. When castrated, they are called
_wethers_; they then grow sooner fat, and the flesh becomes finer and
better flavored."