as Trie Shepherds' Guide. 



mers of Scotland, and the northern counties of 

 England, have from time immemorial been in 

 the practice of greasing and salving their sheep. 

 But they have done this, rather with a view to the 

 preservation of the health of the animals, and to 

 free them from the troublesome vermin with 

 which they are infested : and until lately, the ef- 

 fects on the wool have been overlooked. From 

 V which circumstance, the ointment has been so un- 

 skillully composed by an undue mixture of tar, 

 as to injure the colour of the wool, and render it 

 very difficult to clean ; so as to render it unfit for 

 the brighter dyes, or for cloths intended to be 

 finished white. But of late, the matter is better 

 understood ; and the most intelligent farmers are 

 convinced that it adds to the quantity of the wool, 

 and renders it softer and finer, at the same time 

 that the health of the sheep is preserved. 



Of the superior warmth which the sheep enjoy 

 from this practice, a proof, it is said, may be seen 

 on a winter day, when the fleeces of the un- 

 greased sheep will frequently be found whitened 

 over with snow, or hoar frost, whilst those of such 

 as have been greased, remain free and uncover- 

 ed. To these facts and opinions Lord Somer- 

 ville gives his assent, and recommends the prac- 

 tice, provided a substitute can be found for the 

 tar, which stains the wool so as to limit its use to 

 coloured cloths. 



The ointment used in Northumberland is pre- 



