The Shepherds^ Guide. 71 



and another of the mixed breed be kept upon the 

 same farm, it will be necessary, for the purpose of 

 avoiding mistakes, to give all the individuals of 

 the pure flock a permanent mark, by which they 

 may be easily distinguished from the mixed 

 breed : and to this end it may be best to adopt 

 the Spanish method ; that is, to apply a small 

 heated iron to the face, leaving the impression of 

 a letter or a number, which, being indelible, is the 

 best mark of proprietorship. Of the mixed flock, 

 every individual should be ear-marked, and two 

 Roman figures, I and V will suflice for a series 

 of numbers more than sufficient. The number 

 I will designate the animal, as far as four inclu- 

 sive ; by making the proper number of slits on 

 either ear. To make five, a portion of the ear is cut 

 out, of the shape of V. The numbers immediately 

 following are slit on either side the mark V ; VI 

 six, VII seven, IV eight, IIV nine. To mark 

 ten, he begins with one slit on the other ear ; and 

 by combining these, we may go on to any number 

 which may be required, according to the views of 

 the proprietor ; keeping an exact register of 

 the mark and purpose for which it has been 

 adopted. 



