30 The Shepherds^ Guide* 



which is manifested by a whole fleece, a lively eye, 

 and nimble motions, is therefore allowed on the 

 score of health to the sheep, as well as that of the 

 value of his fleece to be the best condition in which 

 Merinos or any other sheep can be kept. 



But although good keep and judicious manage- 

 ment unquestionably improve this animal in all 

 respects, yet let it not be supposed that he is proof 

 against improper and scanty food, or neglect and 

 mismanagement. Mr. Laysterie informs us, that 

 he had found Spanish sheep in Sweden, Saxony, 

 and France, which had manifestly depreciated ; 

 and that of two hundred Spanish sheep imported 

 into France so early as the year 1776, and which 

 were divided among the farmers of diff"erent dis- 

 tricts, all except those committed to the care of 

 Mr. Daubenton had degenerated ; whilst his had 

 succeeded to his most sanguine expectation. 

 That this degeneracy in France, as well as else- 

 where, could manifestly be traced to insufficient 

 and bad food ; to w^ant of care and attention ; to 

 unwholesome and confined sheep-houses, in which 

 the sheep were suff'ered to lie in their dung ; or to 

 exposure to the inclemencies of the season with- 

 out any shelter at all ; whence the sheep had de- 

 generated in size and shape, and their wool be- 

 come less fine, less soft to the touch, and deficient 

 in strength. That he had seen many flocks in 

 Sweden, and had constantly observed that those 

 i^nimals which were under the care of inattentive 



