702 Live 5V0c/u -Sheep-~-Timc of Cajlrating Male Lambs Wool. 



economy of fnccp an over degree of warmth may be equally detrimental with too 

 great a deficiency of ic. 



The lambs areufually clipped or (horn a month or fix weeks after the operation 

 has been performed on the old or ftore-fheep. When this bufincfs has been done 

 both the old (hcepand lambs (hould be marked with ochre or fome other fubftance ; 

 and with fome it is a practice to mark them in the ear or other part. It has been 

 objected, that by marking with tar injury is done to the wool, but Mr. Macro 

 has fhown, in the Annals of Agriculture, that the quantity employed does not 

 amount to an ounce per fheep, fo that no great inconvenience can be fuflaincd 

 by it. 



It is a practice in fome diftricls to dock the tails of fheep, which has probably 

 originated in the idea of keeping the animals more clean, and free from the attacks 

 of the fly. Some, however, conceive it improper, as preventing the fheep from 

 being able to beat off the flies in hot feafons.* 



The caflratiifg or gelding of the male lambs is performed at different ages in dif 

 ferent diftricts : but it feems the moft proper to be done in the firfl fortnight in 

 the ftronger fort of lambs ; and in thofc of the weaker kind from a fortnight to 

 three weeks, or a month old, according to circumftances. Some, however, advife 

 its being done at a much later period. While done early, there is, however, the 

 lead danger of too much inflammation coming on if the lambs be in a healthy con 

 dition. When performed while very young on tender delicate lambs, mortification 

 may, however, fometimes be apt to come on and deftroy them. 



The produce in wool differs greatly indifferent breeds of Iheep ; but in the paf- 

 ture or long-woolled kinds the quantity is very confiderable, though very inferior, 

 in quality, to that of many of the fhort- wool led forts. The fineft wool is produced 

 from the Shetland, the Hereford (hire, and the South Down, of any of the native 

 Iheep, and the greateft quantity from the Lincolnlhire. The quality and quantity- 

 afforded by each fort of Iheep has been already noticed in fpeaking of the particular 

 breeds of fheep. 



It is obferved by Mr. Donaldfon that, &quot; the wethers have confiderably more 

 wool than the ewes. In the fleeces of either there are feveral qualities; fome 

 reckon eight or nine different forts. Thefe are all fcparated from each other in 

 England by a fet of men called woolftaplers, who are appointed for the purpofe, 



* Annals of Agriculture, vol. IX. 



