370 THE FARMER AT HOME. 



and other facts named in the sacred volume, it is inferred that sheep 

 constituted almost the only riches of the people ; and they became thus 

 numerous, because few comparatively were slaughtered, their flesh 

 being rarely eaten, except on solemn occasions of sacrifice. It has 

 also been inferred that the ewes then had lambs twice a year. The 

 wealth of the people consisting in sheep, the reason is apparent why 

 the owners of them are so generally represented to have been wan- 

 dering shepherds. 



In those times sheep wore valuable for their milk, as well as for 

 their fleeces. This milk was used for human sustenance, so far as we 

 are informed, long before that of the cow. In addition to its use in 

 the liquid form, it was on a large scale converted into butter and 

 cheese. So essential was it as an article of food, that the same sys- 

 tematic usage prevailed for collecting it that now constitutes the order 

 of modern dairies. The only known particular in which there was 

 then made an effort to change the breed of sheep was to change the 

 color of the wool. It is supposed that the fleece of sheep was origin- 

 ally tawny, or dingy black, with rare cases of one being speckled. 

 The fleece, now, as well known, is white ; and the origin of this change 

 has been credited to the patriarch Jacob, when he stipulated with 

 Laban for all the ring-streaked sheep and goats, as a compensa- 

 tion for his services. This incident establishes two facts ; first, that 

 antecedent to it, the number so marked had been very small, or Laban 

 would not have acceded to Jacob's proposition ; and second, that it is in 

 the power of man to produce changes in the breed of animals, of whic** 

 no one should be ignorant. Here is a truth in animal physiology bettei 

 understood by Jacob than many modern agriculturists. 



SHEPHERD'S DOG. The origin of the sheep-dog is somewhat 

 various ; but the predominant breed is that of the intelligent and do- 

 cile spaniel. It is found in most countries where sheep are kept ; and 

 wherever found, possesses much of the same form and character. The 

 muzzle is sharp, the ears are short and erect, and the animal is covered, 

 particularly about the neck, with thick and shaggy hair. The tail is 

 slightly turned up and long, and almost as bushy as that of the fox, 

 even in that variety whose coat is almost smooth. It is of a black 

 color, or black prevails, mixed with gray or brown. Instinct and 

 education combine to fit this dog for our service. He has a natural 

 predisposition for the office he has to discharge, which requires little 

 trouble or skill to develop and perfect. 



Mr. Hogg says, and truly, that a single shepherd and his dog, will 

 accomplish more in gathering a flock of sheep from a Highland farm, 

 than twenty shepherds could do without dogs ; in fact, that without 

 this docile animal, the pastoral life would be a mere blank. It would 

 require more hands to manage a flock of sheep, gather them from the 

 hills, force them into houses and folds, and drive them to markets, than 

 the profits of the whole flock would be capable of maintaining. Well 



