THE SHEEP. 193 



outside of the fleece is folded inward, beginning at the sides, and narrow- 

 ing the whole fleece into a strip about two feet wide. This strip is 

 then rolled finnly up from the tail end toward the neck. 



WINTER MA\AGE}1ENT.— Sheds, to shield sheep from cold rains, sleety 

 storms, and from piercing winds, are at once dictated by humanity and 

 true economy ; but every arrangement for thus housing sheep should 

 provide for free ventilation, as the health of none other of our domestic 

 animals is so entirely dependent on pure air as that of the sheep. 



Winter Food. — ILiy is the staple winter food of sheep in the United 

 States. Morrell, in The American Shepherd^ states the daily quantity, 

 in cold weather, which a sheep weighing one hundred pounds will con- 

 sume, at two and a half pounds ; and if every one hundred sheep should 

 have a daily supply of from six to eight quarts of corn, or its equivalent 

 in cut potatoes or other roots, the increased thrift of the flock, and 

 their larger return of better wool, would richly repay the extra cost and 

 trouble. 



When the foddering season arrives, the flock should be arranged into 

 as many apartments as circumstances will admit. A small one of the 

 oldest and poorest should have the preference as to accommodation and 

 attention, and to it should be added occasionally such as may from any 

 cause be declining; and such as have sufficiently recruited in this de- 

 partment may give place to them. This flock should be fed with grain 

 and roots, as their condition and circumstances may require, through 

 the winter. So with the lambs, a flock of the smallest and poorest should 

 be managed in the same way. 



When assorting and arranging for the winter, the feet and toes of all 

 should be cut and trimmed to a proper shape ; and the ends of the horns 

 of all such as incline to branch out should be sawed oflf. The whole 

 should have free access to water and salt through the winter, and should 

 be fed with hay, in boxes, plentifully and regularly three times a day ; 

 under cover when cold or stormy, outside when fair, if more convenient; 

 and in rain-storms should be confined under cover. It is convenient to 

 let them have free access to straw, in boxes, at all times, and occasion- 

 ally a change of the different kinds of hay and corn fodder. The sheds 

 should at all times be well littered. 



The proper time to put bucks with ewes is the first of December, 

 which is generally after they are arranged for winter, and that arrange- 

 ment should be made with reference to that object, allowing but one 

 buck to a flock; and no wether should be allowed in a flock with a 

 buck, as his presence creates suspicion, and disturbs the quiet so neces- 

 sary to the desired performance. The number of ewes to a buck will 

 vary according to his age, vigor, and keeping; a full-grown, vigorous 

 one, well fed, will serve one hundred ; the same, without extra feed, 

 will serve fifty; young ones from thirty to forty. The bucks should be 

 painted on the breast to make apparent their progress. Four weeks is 

 sufficient time for them to remain with the ewes; after that, there is 

 danger of the ewes being injured by their ungallant and knock-down 

 propensities. 



MEDICINES EMPLOYED IN THE TREATMENT OF SHEEP.— Simple medi- 

 cines ought to be in the possession of the farmer for instant use incases 

 9 



