334 THE PRICE OF LIVE STOCK. 



highest price. It is probable that some of the decennial 

 periods may express rates which are slightly in excess or 

 slightly in defect of that which was really the highest price, 

 but it is not likely that any actual error can be contained in 

 the general average taken. And this view is supported by the 

 fact that, as a rule, the same fluctuations affect the highest 

 prices and the average rates. That is to say, sheep are low- 

 priced at the beginning of the period, are high in the twenty 

 years 1311-1330, rise again after the Plague, are highest of all 

 in the twenty years 13611380, fall in the next decade, and 

 begin to rise, in some degree at least, in the last division 

 of all. 



Sheep, as we have stated before, were liable to several 

 diseases, and among these the rot and the scab. The former, 

 affecting the general health of the animal, the latter, its most 

 valuable produce, were the cause of continual anxiety to the 

 medieval farmer, as they are to his descendant. Some informa- 

 tion as to the best method of rearing and keeping sheep, and 

 as to the means by which the first disease may be detected, are 

 given by Walter de Henley. I will transcribe some of his 

 recommendations. 



"Take care," he says, "that your shepherd be not liable 

 to getting into a passion, for if such a thing happen he may 

 do something which will destroy all your profit. Your best 

 market is about Midsummer, because at that time mutton is 

 in the best condition. Keep your ewes under cover between 

 St. Martin's, Nov. nth, and Easter, unless the ground be dry 

 and the fold be covered with straw or stubble. Marl the 

 sheep-fold every fortnight when they are under cover. Keep 

 them on coarse hay mixed with wheat or oat straw, or failing 

 these, on pea or vetch haulm, (escorgais de pesaz). Do not let 

 them out in the morning between St. Barnabas' day and St. 

 Martin's if there be a white dew and cobwebs on the ground, 

 but wait till the sun has purified the ground. Do not let them 

 drink stagnant or dark-coloured water. Before they leave the 

 fold let the shepherd drive them for some time gently round 



