FARMER'S ASSISTANT. S27 



they want shelter, and when they become so warm as to re- 

 quire the optn air. They should at all times, but particu- 

 larly at this, have plenty of salt, as this is a stimulan; which 

 enables them the better to withstand the cold. A warm *un 

 is hurtful 10 'he b^cks of Sheep after shearing,- and tor this 

 reason their pasture should >ave some shade, 10 which they 

 can retire during the heat ot the day. 



Alter shearing, their skins should be carefully examined,, 

 to see if they have any appearance of the scab-; <nd those 

 whicii have, should be kept apart from the re*t. till cim:d f 

 as this disease is contagious. This, too, is th<- proper time 

 to examine them, as to their age and health^ h h bodily 

 defects; and also, as to the quality and quantity of 

 fleeces. Those which are found old <*nd bfokra'-mQuittedj 

 sickly and infirm, ill formed; Ewes vhat are bad oui-e , arid 

 lose their Lumta from want of milk ; -hose whose wo u ?s m 

 small quantifies, which is often the t.ffect of age or sickness- 

 and those whose wool is bad, either by being mixed whh 

 short hairs, or which are rough on the trnphs: These 

 should all be marked, in order to be turned -if. and put in 

 good pasture for fating. 



The wool of yearling Sheep should be kept by itself; be- 

 cause, not having the same texture or strength which the 

 wool of older Sheep has, it will make he cloth shrink un- 

 equally, if mixed with such wool, The other fleeces may 

 be sorted at shearingtime,- maksng separate parcels of the 

 thighs, the belly, and the back and sides. Wool should not 

 be kept long without washing, as in that case it is liable to 

 ferment and spoil in hot weather. 



After shearing, the horned Sheep should be examined, to 

 see that their horns do not press on the scull, or endanger 

 the eyes; either of which may kill the animal. Where this 

 is the case, the horns are to be taken off ; and, for this pur- 

 pose, Mr Livingston recommends sawing them off with a 

 fine stiff-backed saw; then apply some tar to the slumps, 

 and tie a double linen cloth over them, to keep off the 

 flies. 



At this time also the Larnbs should be docked, castrated, 

 and marked. Mr Livingston recommends the Spanish cus- 

 tom ot docking the tail, as conducive to cleanliness. The 

 castration is best performed by taking away the testicles at 

 once. This operation may be performed on Lambs when 

 not more than ten days old, and the earlier this is done, the 

 finer will be their wool and flesh. It rain or cold weather 

 succeed this operation, before they are cured, they should 

 be housed; otherwise they will be in danger of dying. 



Another method of castration, which is probably best for 

 grown Sheep, is to tie a cord tightly round the scrotum, and 



