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281 



cleanup; while, if thai were done by the fattening 

 flock, it would perhaps rather check than forward 

 iheir improvement. When the turnips are hurdled 

 off' to be eaten pn the land, they should always be 

 taken up; us otherwise, in so small a space, they 

 would be trodden under and spoiled; if not taken 

 up, the sheep should be allowed more room. 



But the fattening of sheep cannot be conducted 

 to advantage without regularity in distributing, and 

 economy in the management of, the various ar- 

 ticles that compose their food. Hence, it will be 

 found useful to have troughs, with partitions in the 

 middle and rac!(s,annexed, about two feet high from 

 the ground, the whole being firm and steady, so that 

 it cannot be o\ erturned. 



The sheep-cribs and racks in common use, are 

 too well known to require description. Considera- 

 ble benefit may be derived from their adoption for 

 the purpose of feeding sheep; for it not only ef- 

 fects a material reduction in the consumption and 

 expense of provender, which is thus prevented 

 from being trodden under loot, or soiled with 

 dung; but also, in this state of separation, the 

 stronger sheep cannot drive away the weaker, as 

 each is secured by the head. 



But. whatever system of management may be 

 adopted b\ the farmer, whether at home or in the 

 field, he oughi on no account to withhold salt from 

 his sheep; for not only does the continual use of 

 thai article contribute to the digestion of succu • 

 lent vegetables, and of course, preserve the ani- 

 mals in constant health, but it is also said to im- 

 prove both the quantity and the quality of the 

 wool, and it ought to be particularly used in those 

 moist situations, the produce of which is liable to 

 rot sheep, of which malady it is affirmed to be both 

 a preventive and a cure. Rock-salt is undoubted- 

 ly preferable; but, where this cannot be conve- 

 niently procured, it will be advisable to dissolve 

 eomraon salt in water, and after mixing it with 

 line, pure clay, or with pulverized and sifted chalk, 

 to form the whole into masses or lumps, which 

 maybe placed under shelter, so that the sheep may 

 lick it. at pleasure. 



The importance of salt in preserving the health 

 of sheep is not generally known, or appreciated, 

 by man) breeders of this island, who do not give 

 it in any form. The same prejudice exists in Prus- 

 sia and Holland, where no salt is allowed to these 

 animals.' On the contrary, at Rainbouillet, in 

 Silesia, Saxony, Sweden and Spain, salt is con- 

 sidered as a most important article, and the 

 use of it is most strongly recommended. In Swe- 

 den, thej give salt, particularly in rainy or damp 

 weather, and frequently add to it wormwood, or 

 some other bitter vegetables, juniper seeds or ber- 

 ries, and even pitch, which articles are reduced to 

 powder, and, after being diluted with water, are 

 carried to the sheep house, and put into the trunks 

 of trees, which are excavated expressly lor this 

 purpose: the preparation is considered as an ex- 

 cellent preventive of several distempers, particu- 

 larly the dropsy, to which the Swedish sheep are 

 very liable. In this country, the high duty on salt 

 has hitherto prevented its employment for many 

 agricultural purposes, to which it. might be benefi- 

 cially applied; and to none more advantageously 



[n Holland the use of alder leaves, which the sheep 

 eai with uncommon avidit) in wet weather, is said to 

 prevenl the rot. 



Vol. Ill— 36 



than in the feeding of cattle: but as that objection 

 now happily, no longer exists, it is to be presumed 

 thai it will be gradually brought into use. 



The preceding statements have been given 

 chiefly with reference to the fattening of sheep 

 profitably for the market; but it ought never to be 

 forgotten, that the- growth of the wool is liable to 

 be materially affected by the system of feeding 

 pursued. It is essential to the evenness and 

 strength of the staple, that the feeding of the an- 

 imal should be uniform, without any sudden inter- 

 ruption or transition: for, where this is suffered to 

 take, place, the natural progress of the wool is 

 checked; a second growth succeeds; and the point 

 oi contact becomes so weak as to snap under the 

 operation of the manufacturer; who, being aware 

 of this disad\ antage, cannot of course afford such a 

 price for wool of this description, as he could lor 

 that of a more perfect staple. Much wool is in- 

 jured in (his way between summer and winter keep, 

 which should be made to blend as gradually as pos- 

 sible, that the mischief above described might be 

 prevented, and a sudden transition from rich to 

 poor diet or from poor to rich keep, ought carelul- 

 ly to be avoided. 



[To be continued.] 



From Loudon's Gardener's .Magazine. 



TO PRESKRVE CELERY THROUGH THE WIN- 

 TER. 



Get up the celery on a fine dry day before it isj 

 injured by frost, cut off the leaves and roots, and 

 lay it in a dry, airy place for a few days; then re- 

 move it to a cool cellar, where it will be quite se- 

 cure from frost, and pack' it up with sand, putting 

 layers of celery and of sand alternately. 



STEAM- DIGGING MACHINE. 



j\l. Wronski, a celebrated mathematician at 

 Paris, has, according to the Paris papers, discover- 

 ed a new system of applying steam to carriages, 

 digging machines, hoes, picks, ploughs, &c; so 

 superior to any thing hitherto known, that a 

 French company has bought his patent for lour 

 millions of francs. — Le Temps. 



From the Fanner and Gardener. 

 LIMING IN LEHIGH. 



In speaking more particularly of Lehigh county, 

 it may be assumed, that the introduction of the 

 use oi' lime in farming, and the culture of clover 

 about 20 years ago, wrought a most salutary revo- 

 lution, and saved the second and third rale lands 

 from being deserted lor the far west. Ever since. 

 that period agriculture is rising. Every summer 

 adds to the number of solid and capacious barns, 

 and old ones are enlarged. A considerable part 

 of the county, especially on the borders of the. Le- 

 high and its tributaries, is limestone land, but 'the 

 (rouble and expense of carting the stones the dis- 

 tance of 14 miles is not thought too much T lhus al- 

 most the whole of our county is provided with 

 this commodity. As soon as winter sets in, or as 

 often as during summer the other farm operation; 

 an u pended, the quarries present a lively scene, 

 and wagons or sledges are seen toiling along up 



