70 DANVIS FARM LIFE 



"logging bees," and others, which have fallen 

 into disuse. 



After hoeing, the deluge — for the sheep; for 

 they must be washed preparatory to shearing, 

 which important event in their and farm life now 

 draws near. In some pool of a stream, or sheltered 

 cove of a pond or lake, where the water is hip- 

 deep, or under the outpouring stream from a 

 tapped mill-flume, or the farmer's own pond made 

 for this especial purpose, they suffer this cleansing. 

 Huddled in a pen they are taken by the catcher 

 as called for and carried to the washers, and, 

 passing from their hands, stagger, water-logged 

 and woe-begone, up the bank to rejoin their drip- 

 ping comrades, and doubtless pass the hours while 

 their fleeces are drying in mutual condolement 

 over man's inhumanity to sheep. 



Within a fortnight or so after this comes the 

 shearing. The farmer engages the service of as 

 many as he needs of his neighbors and their sons 

 as are skillful shearers. The barn floor and its 

 overhanging scaffolds are carefully swept. The 

 skies are watched for the day and night preceding 

 the first day of shearing, lest a sudden shower 

 should wet the sheep, which, if so threatened, must 

 be got to the shelter of the barn. If this fore- 

 thought has not been needed in the early morning 

 of the great day, all the available force is mus- 

 tered, such farmhands as can be spared from the 



