47G BRITISH HUSBANDRY. [Ch. XXXIX. 



mentioned, yet the prevailing practice is that which we have already stated, 

 and the more prevalent idea is, that the coating materially assists in guard- 

 ing the sheep against the extreme severity of the weather: in proof of 

 which we have the evidence of a farmer who has, during a number of years 

 past, paid great attention to the health and thriving of his flock, who 

 asserts — " that those lots which were left unsmeared were inferior in con- 

 dition to the others at the time of clipping, and the cover of wool was not 

 so good on them*." Ir, indeed, stains the wool in such a manner, as to 

 render it unfit for receiving the tint of very bright colours in dyeing, and 

 the fleece is not easily cleansed ; but whatever it thus loses in price, is 

 amply made up by its addition in weight. In low situations, "raw,'' or 

 unmelted turpentine may, we understand, be substituted for the tar ; for it 

 wants the carbonaceous colouring matter of the latter, and, if carefully 

 mixed and lightly put on, it produces well. 



The operation is both tedious and disagreeable : it is, therefore, very 

 generally hurried over imperfectly, as well as prodigally ; for the salve is 

 not unfrequently loaded on some parts, while others are neglected, thus 

 occasioning great waste, while the vermin escape, and the scab increases 

 on those spots which are left untouched. The mode, when properly per- 

 formed, should be as follows : — 



The materials most coTnmonly used are tar and butter, in the proportion 

 of about a gallon of tar to 12 lbs. of butter for every score of sheep — 

 rather more tar being used for the hoggets than for older sheep ; and 

 these should be prepared by steeping the tar-barrel in boiling water until 

 it becomes quite soft, and pouring upon it the butter, which is gently 

 heated without being oiled : or, both may be placed over a very slow fire 

 until they become fluid, after which they are stirred together until com- 

 pletely mixedf. Four gallons of Virginia tar, with 35 lbs. of butter, is the 

 cjuantitv usually employed for every 45 sheep of a large flock of Cheviots ; 

 but in very mountainous and exposed districts, 40 lbs. of butter and 5 

 gallons of tar are frequently used to 50 or 60 of the small black-faced 

 breed : though, if skilfully applied, it would probably be found sufficient 

 for 70 or 80 J. 



Other substances are, however, frequently employed — as rosin, turpen- 

 tine, ])alni and fish-oil, in various quantities, either alone or mixed up with 

 tar and butter: thus in the account to which we have already alluded, as 

 furnished by Mr. Graham, the proportion and expense of materials for 40 

 sheep were as follows : — 



7 lbs. of Roshi, at 7s. Gel. per cwt. . . Is. Id. 



17 lbs. Butter, at 10s. per 241bs. . . . 7 1 



Ifilbs. Palm-oil, ate*. C(/. per do. . . 4 4 



2 choppins of Fish-oil at 2s. G(Z. per gall. . 1 



13s. Gd. 



Forty other sheep v.-ere also smeared with tar, butter, and palm-oil ; the 

 expense of which was — 



4 quarts of Tar, at Is. per (piart . . 4s. 0(/. 



14i lbs. of Butter, at 19s. per 24 lbs. . . G 3 



14-^ lbs. of Palm-oil, at 6s. 6d. per do. . .4 0^ 



^ , 14s. 3a 



This, addino- the charge of a penny for the labour of laying the salve on 



* Graham's Pveport of Expeiiments oa the Salving of Sheep: Piize Essays of the 

 liigblaiid Society, vol. ii. p. 244. 



f General Report of Scotland, vol. iii. p. 134, 

 I Parmer's Magazine, vol. xiv. p. 191. 



