MODERN FARRIER. 447 



rubbed about the root of the horns and tail, will be 

 found to be of great use. 



Strong mercurial ointment. - 1 part. 

 Rosin, . _ - - 1 part. 



Hog's lard, . - - - 3 parts. 



JMelt the hog's lard in a convenient vessel, and 

 add the rosin. When these ingredients are well 

 incorporated, add the ointment, and stir the whole 

 well till it becomes cold, to prevent the mercury 

 from sinking. Flies seldom become troublesome 

 till after the time of taking off the fleece. But 

 when sheep appear to be annoyed before that time, 

 the ointment should be applied without delay to 

 the head and tail, well rubbed on. The proportion 

 of mercury is too small to have any effect on the 

 animal, but is quite sufficient to make flies change 

 their scene of attack, at any rate to destroy their 

 eggs. Rubbing the head and tail with a composi- 

 tion of one pint of tar and four of train oil, has been 

 found to answer the purpose well. 



55. Washing. 



From the-fleeces of sheep becoming much loaded 

 and filled with dust and dirt of various kinds, in the 

 hot summer season, by v»^ay of preparation for shear- 

 ing, it is necessary to have recourse to the operation 

 of leashing. It was formerly the method of per- 

 forming this business to have the washers standing 

 up to the breast in the water ; but from the incon- 

 venience and danger of it, the men requiring a large 

 supply of s})irituous liquors, and being liable to be 

 attacked v/ith colds, rheumatisms, and other dis- 

 eases, as well as being apt to dispatch the work with 

 too much expedition, so as to leave the wool insuffi- 

 ciently clean ; it has been proposed by Mr. Young, 

 in his Calendar, to rail off a portion of the water (in 

 a stream or pond) for the sheep to walk into by a 



