BREEDING AlfD CARE OF SHEEP. 1053 



XX. The Nursery. 



Every shepherd should provide a nursery for sheep that are ailing, es- 

 pecially in winter. This may even be made available as a plac^ for 

 lambing. It is better, however, that both a lambing place and a nursery 

 be provided, since fire is essential for new-born lambs early in the season. 

 XXI Tagging Sheep. 



This is important and should be performed as soon in the spring as 

 possible, certainly before the sheep are turned to grass. Secure^'the 

 sheep and cut away all the wool about the buttocks liable to gather dirt 

 and dung which accumulates in balls. It will improve the sheep and 

 save much trouble at shearing time. 



XXn. Washing and Shearing. 



We do not believe in washing sheep. It is distressing and dangerous 

 to the sheep, and the wool often becomes dirty again before shearing. 

 But if the sheep are to be washed, it should be done in clear, running 

 water, on a gravelly bottom, or under a stream of water. Do not shear 

 for three days or more after washing, according to the weather. 



It is important that the shearing be properly done, and no unskilful 

 p3rson should be allowed to handle the shears. It is better to pay an ex- 

 tra price than to allow the skin of the sheep to be clipped and torn in 

 shearing. If the sheep have been washed, shearing should take place 

 when the oily-feeling matter, termed yolk, has so far reappeared in the 

 wool as to give it its natural brilliant appearance and silky feeling. The 

 wool should be cut off evenly and smoothly, reasonal ly close, but not 

 leaving the skin naked and red, which renders the sheep very liable to re- 

 ceive injury from cold. Stubble shearing and trimming, leaving the wool 

 long, so as to give the next fleece the appearance of extraordinary length, 

 or leaving it long in places, in order to affect the apparent sha^e of the an- 

 imal, are both frauds, but are sometimes jDracticed by unscrupulous per- 

 sons, on sheep intended for show or for sale. 



XXm. Tying the WooL 



The fleece should be as little broken as possible in shearing. It should 

 be gathered up carefully, placed on a smooth table, with the inside ends 

 down, put into the exact shape in which it came from the sheep, and 

 pressed close together. If there are dung-balls, they should be re- 

 moved. Fold in each side one-quarter, next the neck and breech one- 

 quarter, and the fleece will then be in an oblong square form, some 



