134 BOARD OP AGRICULTURE. 



rise up at brief intervals, and refuse every kind of food, fre- 

 quently stretching itself, and manifesting signs of distress. .It 

 is now generally understood that it proceeds from costiveness, 

 and may be prevented by an occasional feed of apples, potatoes, 

 or other roots. Two table-spoonfuls of castor oil, or one ounce 

 of epsom salts will prove an effectual remedy, if not too long 

 neglected. 



Ticks, when very numerous, greatly annoy and enfeeble 

 sheep ; after shearing, they leave the sheep for the long wool of 

 the lambs, which should, in about a fortnight after shearing, be 

 dipped in a preparation of tobacco before described, and which 

 is perfectly fatal to the ticks. Sheep ought also to be examined 

 when put up in the fall, and if infested with these vermin, to 

 have a dip of tobacco. No doubt a little sulphur occasionally 

 fed with meal or salt, will make a disagreeable stopping place 

 for the ticks, without doing the sheep any harm. While we 

 would again insist on prevention as necessary to the profit and 

 comfort of the farmer, and to the health and safety of his flock, 

 it is sometimes necessary to administer physic to sheep, and we 

 quote from Mr. Spooner on that subject : " It is necessary that 

 medicine should be given as a liquid, otherwise it would enter 

 the rumen, (or paunch,) and remain there an indefinite time, 

 producing an uncertain effect or perhaps none at all ; it should 

 be allowed to trickle slowly down the throat so as not to strangle 

 the animal." 



We have now, according to our ability, endeavored to dis- 

 charge the duty assigned us by the Board, and perhaps have 

 attempted more than was originally contemplated. We are 

 quite aware that the preceding pages are open to criticism, but 

 they have been prcfpared with some labor, and with the fullest 

 appreciation of the importance of the subject to the farmers 

 generally of Massachusetts, for whom they have been written, 

 with the earnest hope that they will carefully examine the sub- 

 ject, and see whether with their common farms and limited 

 ranges of pasture, the production of mutton and lamb is not 

 one of the most profitable branches of the business of farming. 



We have also that interest in, and fondness for the subject, 

 which always attends familiarity with this most gentle, useful 

 and profitable of our domestic animals ; and we confess to a 



