The Shepherds'* Guide. 43 



allowed for every sheep : and even where the 

 buildings are constructed in an unexceptionable 

 manner, the sheep should be driven out in clear 

 weather into a yard before them, and frequently 

 into the open fields, for the sake of air and exer- 

 cise. Mr. Laysterie informs us, that under such 

 care and attention, there are owners of flocks of 

 fine-woolled sheep in Saxony, who have no pas- 

 tures at all, but keep their sheep in houses and 

 yards throughout the year. Nor is this treatment 

 found injurious either to their health, or the fine- 

 ness of their wool, as long as care is taken lo sup- 

 ply them with proper food and water, and to keep 

 their houses clean and airy. 



Fold-yards, as well as houses, should be fur- 

 nished with racks for hay, which are best made 

 like ladders of long chesnut or oak poles, first 

 bored with inch holes, at the distance of four inch- 

 es, and then split, so that one pole makes the top 

 • and bottom of the rack. The rounds are best 

 when made of split stuff, but may be made of com- 

 mon round stuff, of the size of hoop poles, and 

 should be about three feet, or three and a half 

 long. These should be placed vertically on the 

 ground, at the distance of about 18 inches, and 

 secured to stakes driven into the ground, above 

 and below. If placed between two folds, they 

 may form the division ; the sheep eating on each 

 side. These ladders being removed in the sum- 

 mer, and placed under the hovels, will be longer 



