38 ELEMENTAEY AGEICULTURE 



the voices and spoken commands of their masters, 

 and even understand signals of the arms. 



Care and Fleeces of Sheep. The Merinos stand 

 more neglect than other sheep. They can get 

 through the winter on good straw, a little grain, 

 and some hill pasture. However, their mutton is 

 only fair, and they do not raise as many lambs as 

 other breeds. Their bodies are covered with large 

 folds or wrinkles of skin that make shearing diffi- 

 cult, but these very wrinkles only make so much 

 more surface for good wool to grow on. 



Sheep for Mutton. Shropshires and Southdowns 

 are the best liked of the mutton types in America. 

 The Shropshires (Fig. 22) have nearly black faces 

 and legs, and no horns. They rear more lambs than 

 other kinds, but their wool is not so fine as that of 

 the Merinos. Mutton sheep are profitable even on 

 high-priced land, if it is near a good market. Fancy 

 lamb mutton is a delicacy that people like and are 

 willing to pay for. Southdown ewes usually rear 

 two lambs each year, and they are good mothers. 



QUESTIONS 



(1) Where did the forefathers of our sheep come from? 

 (2) Have you any reasons for believing that the sheep 

 was tamed before ths cow or horse? (3) Could you 

 think of a reason why sheep will not thrive on a wet or 

 swampy farm? (4) Which of the mutton types do you 

 like best? (5) Why? (6) Are Merinos raised in your 

 county? (7) Why, or why not? 



For problems and experiments refer to the Appendix. 



