120 ox THE CHEVIOT BEEED OF SHEEP. 



the same time to hold well back with his hands so as to keep 

 pressure away as much as possible from the bowels. A new 

 method of operating by means of hot irons has been introduced, 

 but as yet it has not been adopted to any extent except in the 

 Tyne districts of Northumberland. For tliis system the advan- 

 tases claimed are that, treated with it the lambs are less liable 

 to death tlian in the other case, and that (though tMs opnuon 

 may be much doubteil) the masculine character of the animal is 

 less destroyed ; but perhaps the reason which has most favoured 

 its adoption has been that with it castration may be delayed for 

 some httle time, gi^dng the lambs, of course, time to become 

 stronger. 



In different seasons the death-rate among the lambs varies 

 very much. A percentage of one in the score is always reckoned 

 a serious loss, but it has sometimes happened that as many as 

 ten per score have dropped off, while, on the other hand, there 

 have Ijcen seasons wdien among a thousand there would not be 

 more than five lambs lost. 



Aljout the 20th or 25th June, when washing is begmi, the old 

 sheep again come in for their share of attention. In arranging 

 for washing, the farmer should alwavs bear in mind that it is 

 desirable to allow an interval of at least ten days between this 

 work and clipping time, seeing that if the wool is taken from 

 the sheep too soon after it has been cleansed the effect upon the 

 animal cannot be good, while the fleece itself is most likely 

 shorn wdien it is under its proper natural weight, owing to the 

 sap not ha\'ing had time to return. In washing, prior to which, 

 as in the case of castration, all unnecessary bustle and heating 

 shoidd be prevented, the sheep are usually made to swim twice 

 through a pond or washing pool, and, after this simple cleansing, 

 the anunals are in ten days' time ready for the shears. The old 

 practice of clipping xipon stools is still pretty common, but when 

 big heavy sheep have to Idc dealt with, it is perhaps most advis- 

 able to chp them on the ground without tying their feet, the 

 other method exposing the animals to considerable risk of 

 bruises and internal injuries. It is imperative in all cases that 

 the sheep be not clipped except when their coats are perfectly 

 dry. In connection with this work, two other duties are also 

 overtaken — the countino; of tlie stock and the buisting or brand- 

 ing of the sheep with the initials of the ow^ner or any otlier 

 stamp that is in use in the flock. The average chp of a Che'S'iot 

 may be stated at 4 lbs., it being considered a large return when 

 this is exceeded. For the disposal of their fleece flock-masters 

 have gi'eat facihties provided at the three largely attended 

 markets of the year — Hawick for the west country, Jedburgh 

 for the east Ijorders, and Inverness for the north, — and at the 

 nimierous wool sales at Edinburgh and Glasgow, which are now 



