SHEEP AND -WOOL. 201 



Roots weighing from four to six pounds, of from four 

 to six inches diameter at the top, and from nine to 

 thirteen inches long, smoothly and evenly tapering 

 to a point, without straggling branches, of a cream- 

 white colour and smooth grain, are the most desira- 

 ble. " Like produces hke," and with such selections 

 followed up, the crop will soon run evenly of the 

 same shape and size as the roots from which the 

 seed was grown. Plant the seed-roots, and in this 

 latitude about the first of May, three feet apart ; and, 

 as the stalks grow, stake round them in a circle, and 

 tie a small cord from stake to stake for their sup- 

 port. As soon as the seed shells easily, which, if 

 the roots are planted in May, will be in September, 

 it is time to gather it. Two or three dozen roots will 

 grow seed enough for acres, and at one tenth the 

 cost it can be obtained for from the seed-stores. 

 When grown at home, one knows what he gets ; and 

 as it comes to him abundantly and cheap, he can, 

 without grudging, give to his neighbours, and there- 

 by greatly promote the culture of this most valuable 

 of roots. A. B. Allen. 



Buffalo, March, 1840. 



CHAPTER XIII. 



SEEEP AND WOOL. 



Early Domestication. — Flesh and Wool.— Fine Wool. — Impro- 

 ■ving its Quality. — Diseases and Remedies.— Shearing Laniba. 

 —Shearing Sheep. — Attention to Sheep in Wmler. 



The sheep appears to have been one of the finest an- 

 imals that yielded to the domination of man and sub- 

 mitted to domestication. In the most ancient zoolo- 

 gical catalogue on record, it occupies a conspicuous 



II.— a 



