204 WHAT I KNOW OF FARMING. 



Sheep. I should have no scruple in so doing, pro- 

 vided I could guard effectually against the poisoning 

 of any other than the culprits. 



In a well-settled, thrifty region, where ample 

 barns are provided, I judge that the losses of Sheep 

 by dogs may be reduced to a minimum by proper 

 precautions. Elsewhere than in wild, new frontier 

 settlements, every flock of Sheep should have a place 

 of refuge beneath the hay-floor of a' good barn, and 

 be trained to spend every night there, as well as to 

 seek this shelter against every pelting storm. Even 

 if sent some distance to pasture, an unbarred lane 

 should connect such pasture with their fold ; and 

 they should be driven home for a few nights, if 

 necessary, until they had acquired the habit of com- 

 ing home at nightfall ; and I am assured that Sheep 

 thus lodged will very rarely be attacked by dogs or 

 wolves. 



As yet, our farmers have not generally realized 

 that enhancement of the value of Mutton, whereby 

 their British rivals have profited so largely. Their 

 fathers began to breed Sheep when a fleece sold for 

 much more than a carcase, and when fineness and 

 abundance of Wool were the main consideration. 

 But such is no longer the fact, at least in the Eastern 

 and Middle States. To-day, large and long-wooled 

 Sheep of the Cotswold and similar breeds are grown 

 with far greater profit in this section than the fine- 

 wooled Merino and Saxony, except where choice 

 specimens of the latter can be sold at high prices for 



