72 Essay on Sheep, 



once upon the enterprise in the most effectual 

 manner; that is, by procuring full-blooded rams 

 in the first instance: and as this essay is not 

 intended for those whose wealth enables them 

 instantly to overcome all difficulties, I shall 

 treat the subject upon so economical a scale as 

 to be within the means of every man that keeps 

 a flock. 



After having determined on the kind of sheep 

 most proper for your farm, which we will sup- 

 pose to be Merino, carefully examine your ewes, 

 and select from them those that have the short- 

 est or thickest coat, with the least hair on the 

 hinder parts, and whose bellies are well co- 

 vered with wool. Those whose wool is neither 

 long enough to comb, nor yet so short as to be 

 good carding wool, should be immediately sold 

 or exchanged for others of the description I 

 have mentioned. In this there will be no dif- 

 ficulty, because, generally speaking, they will 

 be the largest; and as their long wool covers 

 their defects, they apparently are the hand- 

 somest in the flock. Let your ewes be at least 

 three years old, as large as can be got of the 

 sort, belly large and well covered with wool, 

 chine and loin broad, breast deep, buttocks 

 full, the eyes lively, the bag large, and the teats 

 long. Next provide yourself with a ram pos- 



