SHEEP. 351 



little practised in this country. For cold, elevated and 

 exposed situations, it may be necessary, arid it is generally 

 adopted in Scotland. The object is to prevent cutaneous 

 diseases and vermin, and furnish additional warmth and 

 protection to the fleeces of such breeds as are deficient in 

 yolk. It is usually performed the latter part of October, 

 but is sometimes done immediately after shearing. The 

 mixture or salve consists of tar and butter or grease, in dif- 

 ferent proportions ; 1 gall, of the former to 12, or some- 

 times 20 Ibs. of the latter ; the greater proportion of tar 

 being required for the younger sheep, or for more exposed 

 situations. The grease is melted over the fire, and the tar 

 stirred in, and when sufficiently cool, it is applied to the 

 whole body of the sheep, by carefully parting the wool and 

 rubbing it on the skin with the fingers. The above quan- 

 tity is sufficient for 30 or 50 sheep, according to their si/.e 

 and the character of the wool. This application is not 

 required for fine-wooled sheep, whose fleeces are more 

 appropriately protected by a natural secretion of yolk ; and 

 it is better to omit it in all cases, where the health and com- 

 fort of the animal do not render it absolutely essential. Mr. 

 Stewart, an experienced Scotch shepherd, uses only tallow 

 and train oil mixed in equal proportions. He asserts that 

 the improvement in the growth and quality of the wool is at 

 least one-third, and it materially benefits the condition of the 

 sheep, 



WEANING. The lambs may be weaned from 3 to 4 

 months old. They should be put upon rich, sweet feed, but 

 not too luxuriant ; while the dams are turned upon the 

 poorest, and so remote from their young, as to be out of sight 

 and hearing. The ewes ought to he carefully examined 

 after a day or two,,and if necessary, the milk removed with 

 the hand. If it continues to accumulate, the ewe may be fed 

 on hay for a few days. When thoroughly dried off, they 

 should have the best fare to recover condition for subsequent 

 breeding and wintering. The fall is a critical period to lose 

 flesh, either for sheep or lambs ; and if any are found defi- 

 cient, they should be at once provided for by extra feed and 

 attention. If cold weather overtakes them poor or in ill 

 health, they will scarcely outlive it; or if by chance they 

 survive, their emaciated carcass, impaired constitution, and 

 scant fleece will illy repay the food and attention they will 

 have cost. 



