196 



SHEEP HUSBANDRY IN THE SOUTH. 



\ the cut, of -f-inch round iron, drawn smaller toward the point and the 

 point made safe by a knob. The other end is furnished 

 with a socket, which receives a handle six or eight feet 

 long. The manner of using it is thus described in Mr. Ste- 

 phens's admirable "Book of the Farm": 



" The hind-leg is hooked in at a, from behind the sheep, and it fills up 

 the narrow part beyond <z, while passing along it until it reaches the loop, 

 when the animal is caught by the hock, and when secured, its foot ea- 

 lily slips through the loop. Some caution is required in using the crook, 

 'or should the sheep give a sudden start forward to get away, the mo- 

 ment it feels the crook the leg will be drawn forcibly through the narrow 

 part, and strike the bone with such violence against the bend of the loop 

 <s to cause the animal considerable pain, and even occasion lameness for 

 *ome days. On first embracing the leg, the crook should be drawn 

 Tjuickly toward you, so as to bring the bend of the loop against the leg as 

 high up as the hock, before the sheep has time even to break off, and be- 

 ing secure, its struggles will cease the moment your hand seizes the leg." 



No flock-master should be without this implement, as it 

 eaves a vast deal of yarding, running, &c., and leads to 

 a prompt examination of every improper or suspicious ap- 

 pearance, and a timely application of remedy or preven- 

 tive which would often be deferred if the whole flock had 

 to be driven to a distant yard, to enable the shepherd to 

 catch a particular sheep. 



Dexterity in the use of the crook is speedily acquired by any one ; and 

 if a flock are properly tame, any one of its number can be readily caught 

 by it, at salting-time or, generally, at other times, by a person with whom 

 the flock are familiar. But it is at the lambing-time, when sheep and lambs 

 require to be O repeatedly caught, that the crook is more particularly ser- 

 viceable. For this purpose, at this time alone, it will pay for itself ten 

 times over in a single season, in saving time, to say nothing of the advan 

 tage of the sheep. 



SHEPHKRD S 

 CROOK. 



