SHEEP HUSBANDRY IN THE SOUTH. 



391 



tral opening. It would be merely a dense clump of evergreen trees, for 

 the sheep to take refuge under in storms of rain, and it might be surround- 

 ed on the outside with a tight board fence or stone-wall, if much exposed 



Fig. 42. 



THE INSIDE CIRCULAR STELL. 



to the sweep of cold winds. As the sheep would lie among the ti'ees, a 

 clump 50 or 60 feet in diameter — though TOO feet would be better — would 

 suffice for 100 sheep. 



Fig. 43. 



THE CIRCULAR STELL FITTED UP WITH HAY-RACKS. 



But in determining upon the best winter shelters, for the various re- 

 gions in the South, the fact must not be lost sight of that cold rains, or 

 rains of any temperature, ivJien iTiimedinfchi syrrcedcd hy cold or freezing 

 weather, or cold, ficrcing winds, arc more hurtful to sheep than even snow- 

 stoi'ms — and that consequently sheep must be adequately guarded against 

 them. There must also be suitable shelter from anij storms to which the 

 country is subject, in the lavihing season. Any person with the least ex- 

 perience can determine whether an inclosed clump of trees will answer 

 these purposes, in his own immediate region. 



I think it very probable that in the Gulf States, and some of the lower 

 Atlantic ones — particularly in regions near the ocean — these tree coverts, 



(751) 



