138 FINE WOOL SHEEP HUSBANDRY. 



would be highly onerous. The early shearing, too, 

 causes much additional labor in protecting the sheep 

 from the cold spring weather. It is not seriously 

 claimed that either of these practices benefit the 

 sheep* or add to their product of cleansed wool. If 

 all flock masters were to adopt them they would not 

 even help the interests of the seller. 



Without wishing to attach any censure to such 

 honorable persons who now employ these modes of 

 fitting their sheep ftxrsale, as avow them to all persons 

 wishing to purchase, whether questioned on the subject 

 or not, I may be permitted to express the hope that 

 such a purely unnecessary waste of labor and capital 

 may not become customary throughout the thorough- 

 bred flocks of our country. 



I should not satisfy my convictions of duty if I did 

 not utter my earnest protest in this connection against 

 another practice introduced, and to some extent keep- 

 ing pace with the preceding ones ^that of over-feeding 

 sheep not intended for slaughter. A portion of those 

 people who shelter their flocks in the summer and 

 autumn, commence giving them grain at the same 

 time ; and the only limits to their feeding in winter 

 are the appetite of the animal, and the necessary care 

 for its immediate safety. Yery high condition not 

 only adds to the size, roundness, apparent compact- 



* In some places housing is necessary against dogs ; but in that 

 case they should be housed all the year. 



Some claim that the early sheared sheep winter better ; but five 

 months' growth of wool before December ought to be quite sufficient 

 for the protection of heavy fleeced and winter-housed sheep. Others 

 claim that early sheared sheep " coat over" better (grow darker col- 

 ored with yolk); and this is probably true. At all events they become 

 dark colored earlier in the season. 



