DRIFTING SNOW. 597 



and it will be universally acknowledged, that those which 

 are protected from storms and much wet always thrive the 

 best. Therefore, on all sheep farms sheds or other shelter 

 should be provided for the animals in case of need. 



DPJFTIA^G SNOW. 



In all mountainous countries sheep are liable to be over- 

 taken by sudden falls of snow, and few situations afford 

 natural shelter. Therefore large circular enclosures should 

 be constructed of turf or stone, into which the sheep should 

 be driven on the approach of snow. These should generally 

 be on the south or west sides of the hill, as snow-storms 

 usually proceed from the north or east. This should al- 

 ways be situated on dry ground, and advantage taken of any 

 natural shelter, such as an elevated rock, or side of a ravine. 

 The walls of turf enclosures should be four feet thick at the 

 base, and two feet at top, and the height not less than six 

 feet. There should be two or three openings in each, and 

 these always on the south side. The spot on which they are 

 situated should be on a slightly inclined plane ; and drains 

 should be properly constructed, so as to carry off the rain or 

 melted snow ; these should pass through holes in the walls, 

 and be received in a large drain outside. 



When sheep have been driven a few times into these en- 

 closures, they will go into them of their own accord, on the 

 approach of a storm, or even during indifferent weather. 

 Consequently, such enclosures are of much advantage to 

 a shepherd, as he will be certain that his sheep will be 

 safe in them, when a snow-storm has taken place, without 

 the danger to which he is liable, in attending to them 

 personally. 



Besides these enclosures, it has been found that strips and 

 clumps of Scotch fir-trees are of much utility as shelter for 



