338 



SHEEP HUSBANDRY IN THE SOUTH. 



that single lesson, the secret of his mastery, and the propensity to exercise 

 it. The ram giving his blow from the summit of the frontal bone on the 

 top of the head, (and nut from the forehead,) couches his head so low 

 when he makes his onset, that he does not see forward well enough to 

 swerve suddenly from his right line, and a few quick motions to the 

 right and left enable you to escape him. Run in upon him, as he dashes 

 by you, with pitchfork, club, or hoot-Jicel — punishing him severely by 

 blows, (about the head if the club is used,) and giving him no time to rally 

 until ho is thoroughly cowed.* 



Fences. — Poor fences will teach ewes and wethers to jump, as well as 

 rams, and for a jumping Jlock there is no remedy but immoderately high 

 fences, or extirpation. One jumper will soon teach the trick to a whole 

 flock, and if one by chance is bought in, it should be immediately hoppled 

 or killed. The last is by far the surest and safest remedy. 



Salt.— Salt, in my judgment, is indispensable to the health of sheep, 

 particularly in the summer — and I know not a flock-master among the hun- 

 dreds, nay, thousands with whom I am acquainted, who differs with me in 

 this opinion. It is common to give it once a week while the sheep are at 

 gi-ass. 



It is still better to give them free access to salt at all times, by keeping 

 it in a covered box, open on one side, like the following: 



A large hollow log, 

 with holes cut along the Fig. 28. 



side, for the insertion 

 of the heads of the sheep 

 will make a respectable 

 substitute. A sheep hav- 

 ing free access to salt at 

 all times, will never eat 

 too much, and it will take 

 its supply when and in 

 what quantities Nature 

 demands, instead of eat- 

 ing voraciously at stated 

 periods, as intermediate abstinence will stimulate it do. When fed but 

 once a week, it is better to have a stated day, so that it will not be forgot- 

 ten, and it is well to lay the salt on flat stones, though if laid in little 

 handsfull on the grass, very little will be lost. 



Tar. — This is supposed by many to form a very healthful condiment for 

 sheep. The nose of the sheep is smeared with it, and it is licked and 

 swallowed as the natural heat of the flesh, or that of the weather, causes it 

 to trickle down over the nostrils and lips. Others, suffering the flock to 

 get unusually salt hungry, place tar ixpon flat stones, or in troughs, and 

 then scatter salt on it, so that both shall be consumed together. Apphed 

 to the nose, in the nature of a cataplasm, I have no doubt that it is advan- 

 tageous in catarrhs — and put on the same place, at the proper periods, it 

 may perhaps, by its odor, repel the visitations of the fly ( Qistris ov/sj, the 

 eggs of which produce the " grub in the head." As a medicine it maybe 

 valuable, and even as a detergent in the case specified, but as a condiment 



SALTIKG-BOX. 



* This may be pronounced harsh " meaBiire for mensure," and some may thinii it would tend to increase 

 the viciousn'i^sa of the animal. Repeated inBtancea have proved the contrary to me. And if their maatery 

 ie once acknowledged, it is never forgotten by them. 

 (658) 



