WEANING. 151 



in its use. I was informed that any man could learn how to 

 use the shears in half a day. 



Although these instruments have now come into general 

 use, a brief description of their objects and uses rnay not be 

 thought unnecessary. The rapidity with which the work is 

 performed has been variously estimated at from 115 to 203 

 sheep per day of ten hours. 



A horizontal petrol engine, mounted on a platform, capable 

 of developing power to drive four shears, costs about ^"35, 

 with belt, pulleys and accessories. 



Other forms cost ^"40 and 60, and even go ; but so far 

 as manual shearers are concerned the listed prices for a single 

 hand-power machine range from 453. complete, with flexible 

 tube and chain, ball-bearing shears and extra plates. (One 

 pound extra may be charged for grinder and steel shaft.) 



The cost of the plant will therefore depend upon whether 

 it consists of single hand-power machines at 455. each or 

 thereabouts, or a set of several shears operated by an oil 

 engine, electricity, or other motive power. 



WEANING. 



Many years ago an excellent paper on sheep management 

 was contributed to the Journal of the " Royal " by Mr. 

 Pawlett, in which he advocated weaning lambs at eight weeks 

 old. I have often thought about it, and how Mr. Pawlett 

 found that even in the succeeding February his early- weaned 

 lambs were heavier than those which had sucked later. A 

 good deal must depend upon the season at which a lamb is 

 born, for to those who lamb down their flocks in January, 

 weaning in March appears absolutely impossible. Those 

 sheep farmers whose flocks lamb down late in March are 

 differently situated, and the advent of summer weather, and 

 the presence of plenty of green food, may render weaning 

 possible early in June, or when the lambs are from ten to 

 twelve weeks old. So much is done by rule on most farms 



