42 The Shepherdii* Guide, 



Where care is taken, and lambs do not fall be- 

 fore April, nothing more is really necessary than 

 a common hovel, made by crotches set in the 

 gi-ound, covered with poles thatched, or buck- 

 wheat straw, or any other litter that will keep out 

 the wet. Even this, however, should be placed 

 within, or rather on the north side of the fold- 

 yard, in which the sheep are foddered ; and if this 

 be kept littered with straw, bottoms of corn- 

 stalks, or any other trash, it will not only keep the 

 sheep dry and comfortable when the thaws come 

 on in the spring, but will afford a supply of the 

 best manure, which will most amply repay any 

 trouble and expense attending it. And another 

 great advantage to be drawn from such fold- 

 vards i?, that after all the loose manure which can 

 be scraped from their surface is carried off, they 

 will afford one of the best and richest kitchen gar- 

 dens for roots of all kinds, cabbages, &c. that caii 

 possibly be made. , When it is necessary that any 

 sheep, such as invalids, or ewes with lambs, 

 should be housed during severe weather, care 

 should be taken that the apartments should be 

 airy, large in proportion to the number confined 

 in them, with large windows in every direction, 

 which should be kept open, except during stormy 

 days, or very severe nights ; that they are fre- 

 «|uently littered with fresh straw, and that they 

 are cleaned out whenever they become in the 

 least offensive. A squ'ire yard should at least be 



