"its AGRICULTURAL MUSEUltf 



The extent of the loss this season arisin<T from the 

 causes above mentioned, throughout the kingdom, would 

 perhaps exceed aR credibility. 



Craving pardon for preaching so m'. eh on onetopie,! do 

 most earnestly beseech shcep-farniers oft-very rank antl 

 degree, to bear in mind, that breeding ewes cither very 

 young or very olr), cannot endure severity of climate or 

 keep, like those of niiddle age, and that the shepherd 

 mustnot spare his labour in the nighttime, more especi- 

 ally in severe weather, when lambs of the fine wool 

 breeds are first dropped, for their wool is too short to 

 protect them, during the few first days alter yeaning, 

 miless they arc brought into some sheltered place. 



H 



ON THE USE OF SALT FOR SIIEEP. 



We are not aware, that the practice of giving salt in its 

 Iraw state, is to be found any where in this kmgdom, ex- 

 cept on our own estate. We shall, therefore, speak 

 with due caution on the subject, confining ourselves to 

 what has actually been done, and to the effect which, in 

 several years trial, has been most apparent. The heavy 

 cluty now imposed on salt, seems to be sufficient to deter 

 others from its use, as it for sometime deterred us. At 

 length, we fortunately lost sight of this timidity ; our 

 motive was not to produce this or that imaginary effect, 

 but to keep sheep in health- It was reasonable to con- 

 jecture, that the flock would demand more salt in the au- 

 tumn antl spring months, when dews are heavy, than in the 

 summer or dead winter months ; and so it proves. 



In Spain, a thousand sheep use in five months, four 

 arobes, or one quintal of salt, which is 1281b. Their sheep 

 would fat to about 13Ib. per quarter upon the average; 

 this is the quantity given out, all of which may not be con- 

 sumed ; and as the price of salt in that country is no ob- 

 ject, more would have been given, if more was necessa, 

 rv- Without reference to what was allowed in Spain, 

 (for the increased moisture of our climate, and the pecu- 

 liar properties of our various soils, would not allow sucK 



