FOR SHOW RING AND MARKET. 139 



machine, and presents a most pleasing contrast to those 

 shorn by the inexperienced and unskilled shearer. 



In England sheep are usually shorn at a given price per 

 .score (twenty head), with an allowance of cider or beer in 

 the bargain. The barn floor, or the cool shade of the apple 

 orchard is the usual scene of the shearing festival. Straw 

 is placed on the floor or ground, as the case may be, over 

 which is thrown a tarpaulin, or rick cover, this making a 

 tolerably comfortable resting place for both sheep and shear- 

 ers. The shearers are usually attired in perfectly white over- 

 alls ; each gang having its own "catchers" and wool tyers. 



Tying the Fleece. 



As soon as the fleece is taken off it should be carefully laid 

 on the tying table bright side down, and any dirt, bits of 

 straw, burrs, etc., should be removed. Next it should be 

 packed together in as close and even a mass as possible 

 before being rolled previous to being tied. The two outer 

 edges should be turned over so that they meet together, or 

 even overlap each other a trifle, in the middle of the fleece. 

 It should then be folded in about the same manner as a 

 soldier folds his blanket. In tying a fleece, wool twine only 

 should be used. Wool is much easier and neater tied when 

 a wool box is used; but of course the wool should be carefully 

 folded before being put into the box if a really neat fleece is 

 expected. Too many advocates of the wool-tying box are 

 entirely too careless in the preparation of the fleece before 

 being put into it. 



