MODERN FARRIER. 449 



ally ; but ordinary sheep do, and ought to be shorn 

 just before the wool begins to separate. Neatness 

 in shearing can only be acquired by practice The 

 only rules which can be written are, use shears of a 

 moderate size, and take up very little wool between 

 them. Perhaps it would be an improvement that 

 the sheers should have blunt points, which may pre- 

 vent many accidents, and render the operation easy 

 and expeditious, by giving confidence to the shearer, 

 that he is in no danger of wounding the sheep. 

 After being shorn, sheep are much exposed to the 

 tormenting attacks of flies and other vermin. They 

 should be carefully examined, and all keds, ticks, 

 &c. picked off. The following unguent should then 

 be well rubbed on every part of the animal. The 

 roots of the horns may be anointed with the compo- 

 sition mentioned under the article heat. 

 Take, 



Train oil, - - - 4 gallons. 

 Tar, . - - - half a gallon. 

 Oil of turpentine, - 1 pint. 



Instead of the tar and turpentine, what is called 

 the spirit of tar may be used, while the oil of tur- 

 pentine continues to be so high priced. 



Dr. Parry recommends the shearing of fine woolled 

 lambs about the beginning of August, having found 

 that the hog fleeces grow finer, when the lamb fleeces 

 have been removed. This practice promises consi- 

 derable profit ; an argument in favour of its adop- 

 tion, of a very powerful kind. There does not 

 appear to be any danger to be apprehended from 

 the operation at that season of the year ; and the 

 w^ool will have time to grow to a sufficient length, 

 for defending the animal from cold, rain, and snow, 

 before winter sets in. ihuca 



At the time of clipping, and indeed at all other 

 times, when the flock is collected, every individual 

 should be carefully examined ; and any wounds or 



3 L 



