"The Shepherds* Guide* '35 



weak from the strong, wethers and rams from 

 the ewes and lambs ; and particularly that lambs 

 should be separated, to a considerable distance 

 from their dams, immediately after weanmg: 

 bui this division cannot be made, unless we have 

 a considerable numbtr of fields. Small inclosvires, 

 therefore, in proportion to the size of the dock, 

 (for the fields should be large enough to atlord 

 the sheep necessary exercise) will be. found not 

 only convenient, but profitable. Sheep love to 

 range, and let the field they are in be ever so 

 large, they will be continually passing over the 

 whole in search of the sweetest bite, by which 

 they soil and waste a great deal of feed. By small 

 enclosures, we can at all times command clean 

 grass, and the regular, and even feeding of 

 the whole will be facilitated : by which more ani- 

 mals will be fed on the same quantity of land, and 

 thrive better. But to accomplish this, the flock 

 should be frequently changed from one field to 

 another ; otherwise, whilst they are consuming the 

 pasture in one, another will be shooting up its 

 stems for seed, and the pasture will be lost. It is 

 likewise advantageous to enter upon the pasture 

 fields early, while the grass is young and sweet, 

 and the weeds tender ; many plants at this time 

 will be eaten by sheep which a very little later 

 will be rejected ; and this is another reason for 

 small enclosures, and a quick succession from one 

 to another. Any slight fence, provided it is close, 



