SHEEP. 233 



tern does not accord with tlie habits or traditions of American wool-growers, 

 and the French Merinos, treated like our American Merino sheep, are wholly 

 incapable of sustaining themselves. They lack ability to withstand either 

 exposure to the weather or short keep. Accordingly, though but little more 

 than twenty years have passed since their introduction among us, the full 

 bloods are now nearly as much out of favor in the northern and eastern States 

 as the condemned Saxons. A quarter of their blood, however, mixed with 

 the American Merinos makes a large sheep, which is a favorite with many far- 

 mers. The cross between the French ewe and American ram, after being con- 

 tinued for several generations, ought, with properly selected animals, to pro- 

 duce a striking result ; and probably that result will yet be witnessed. 



SILESIANS. 



The sheep called Silesians in this country were produced in Silesia by 

 breeding one hundred Spanish Infantado ewes to four Negretti rams, and their 

 descendants together from 1811 down to the present day. They are evenly 

 and beautifully woolled, and carry a good weight of it considering its superior 

 quality. They are larger than any American family of Merinos, and they are 

 also longer in the legs and longer and thinner in the neck, in proportion to 

 size. They are, throughout, a less compact animal. Their hardiness has not, 

 so far as the writer is informed, been tested under the ordinary systems of 

 management in oiir country. Their merits as competitors with the AmericaH 

 Merinos will be much better understood when such a test is made. 



PRING MANAGEMENT OF SHEEP. 

 TURNING OUT TO GRASS. 



Sheep coniined to dry feed in the winter should be put upon grass in the 

 spring gradually — L e., but for an hour or two a day at first — to prevent 

 scouring or diarrhoea. 



TAGGING. 



To save wool and add to the health and comfort of sheep, they should be 

 tagged before they are tirnied out to gi-ass in the spring. This is performed by 

 cutting away the wool around the vent and from the inside of the thighs. 

 Sheep, and especially ewes which have not lambed, should be handled care- 

 fully, and laid on their sides while the operation is performed. 



All dry burs which attach to wool should be exterminated from the pastures 

 before sheep are turned on them in the spring. 



LAMBEfG. 



Lambs should be allowed to come as early as the weather will permit with 

 reasonable safety, for it is better to lose two in the spring than one the next 

 winter. Ewes should have sheltered places to lamb in, which can be closed up 

 and made warm in cold nights. Mechanical assistance ought not to be given 

 in case of difficult parturition until a considerable period has elapsed, and until 

 the ewe begins to exhibit signs of failing strength. It should then be ren- 

 dered with great caution and gentleness ; and if the ewe continues her throes, 

 the lamb should be pulled only during the throes. If the ewe becomes very 

 weak before or after lambing, a gill of sound ale will be a benefit to her. If 

 the womb is inverted, cleanse it, if dirty, with tepid water, then wash it with 

 a solution of alum or a decoction of oak bark, and gently return it. If again 

 protruded, return it in the same way and take a single stitch with twine through 



