SUPPLY OF WATER. 21 



in the wool. When the wool comes to be carded or combed, the 

 tension overcomes the resistance of the fiber which breaks at this 

 weak spot, and the broken fibers go to waste. "Break" in the 

 wool greatly reduces its value, and as it is wholly caused by defi- 

 cient nourishment or excessive exposure, it is a loss readily avoided 

 by proper care. The extra supply of food must be judiciously 

 proportioned to the needs of the sheep, as over supply will result 

 in an equal disadvantage by unduly stimulating the condition and 

 leading to a reaction when the stimulus is withdrawn. Evenness 

 in the fleece, although it may be of poor quality, is better than un- 

 evenness, for even if there be only one short break in a fiber 

 otherwise of general excellence, the whole is reduced by this single 

 break to one-half its proper length. One neglect of a few days 

 duration is really worse for the fleece than comparatively poor 

 feeding, if it is only adhered to with regularity. Poor feeding and. 

 general care, result hi a gradually diminished growth and weight 

 of fleece, but yet may not affect the health, while irregular feed- 

 ing affects the health and ruins the flock completely. 



The supply of water is of the greatest importance. A living 

 spring or a clear flowing stream with dry gravelly banks is the 

 best source of supply. Wells are better than ponds or pools. 

 Stagnant water is exceedingly objectionable. Hard water is better 

 than soft, and water containing much saline or other mineral 

 matter, is a valuable help to the pasture as furnishing many neces- 

 sary substances. When water is exposed to the atmosphere it 

 deposits the greater part of any mineral matter it may contain, 

 and becomes soft. It is then rendered of less value for stock pur- 

 poses. There are some waters that contain potash, lime, soda, 

 magnesia, iron, and sulphur in combination with oxygen, carbonic 

 acid, and chlorine to the amount of 15 to 20 grains per gallon, and 

 such water is a source of nourishment to sheep. Pond or marsh 

 water is highly injurious, as is also running water in which aquatic 

 plants are found. It is from drinking such water, as much as from 

 pasturing on undrained soils, that the liver flukes, parasites always 

 accompanying the disease termed the rot, gain access to the stom- 

 ach and intestines of the sheep. A deficiency in the necessary 

 mineral matters may be obviated by giving the sheep stated sup- 

 plies of a mixture of common salt, sulphur, saltpeter, sulphate of 

 magnesia, (epsom salts), phosphate of lime, bone-dust, or fine bone, 

 with a small portion of sulphate of iron, (copperas). A small tea- 

 spoonful of this mixture given once a week to each sheep will help 

 greatly to a healthful condition, and resist the tendency to disease 

 caused by inferior pasture or soft water. Tne study of the plants 



