MODERN FARRIER. 441 



that they must, during the greatest part of the year, 

 be kept in cots, as is practised on the continent. 

 The wool of the fine breeds grows in a manner 

 which renders it more effectual in resisting the ri- 

 gours of winter, than that of the coarse kinds. The 

 experience of several persons, who have introduced 

 the Merino sheep into the Highlands of Scotland, 

 seems to bold out the happy prospect of animals 

 carrying the most A^aluable wool being seen dis- 

 persed over the whole kingdom. The perseverance 

 of Sir John Sinclair has taught us that the Cheviot 

 sheep are perfectly well adapted for the climate of 

 the most northern parts of Scotland. 



Merino sheep, which have been reckoned the 

 most delicate, have been found capable of bearing 

 very great degrees of cold, without being injured in 

 the slightest degree. Cold, therefore, is not by any 

 means an object of dread to the breeder of any kind 

 of sheep, except during the lambing season, when 

 sudden and severe cold, and chilling rains are, with 

 reason, to be feared by every storemaster, as they 

 are fatal to newly dropt lambs of every breed. 



Drifting snow, excessive rain, and great heat, are 

 the enemies which, in our climate, chiefly annoy 

 our flocks. 



51. Drifting Snow. 



Natural shelter is seldom to be found in a moun- 

 tainous country, so convenient as to be proof against 

 sudden storms of snow. Recourse must therefore 

 be had to art. There cannot be a better method of 

 enabling sheep to escape from drifted snow than 

 such inclosures as are mentioned by Mr. Hogg. 

 Circular inclosures, surrounded by a wall of turf, 

 will be fully as effectual as those constructed of 

 stones, and will in most places be more economical, 

 both in the original cost, and subsequent repairs. 

 The space inclosed should be ample, and on dry 



S K 



