DOMESTIC ANIMALS 261 



what are called the 'down' breeds, the Southdown, Shropshire, 

 Hampshire, and Oxfordshire. They have wool of medium fine- 

 ness. The Southdown is more extensively raised in the United 

 States than any other breed except the Merino. It is smaller, but 

 hardier and more prolific than the other 'down' breeds. The 

 Dorset is valued chiefly for the production of early lambs. 



The long-wooled mutton breeds are the Leicester, Lincoln, and 

 Cotswold. 



Care of Sheep. Where there are cheap lands, natural grasses, 

 and open mild winters, sheep can be raised without costing their 

 owner anything except for an occasional salting and the shearing. 

 It is not, however, a good plan to raise any animal to see how much 

 neglect it will bear. It should be given conditions and care to pro- 

 duce best results. 



Sheep should be protected against dogs. They should have 

 shelter, such as well-littered sheds on sunny slopes, protected from 

 cold, wind, and rain. Sheep cannot bear close confinement or 

 crowding. They need well-drained pasture; on marshy land they 

 are subject to disease. They should have pure water, and be salted 

 regularly. It is well to keep in a shed to which they have access a 

 trough containing pulverized charcoal, ashes, salt, and sulphur. 



By nature sheep are timid and nervous. They need quiet 

 handling and gentle treatment. A rough, harsh, careless, or im- 

 patient master rarely reaps profit from them. 



Diseases. Fly.. The diseases to which they are most subject 

 are fly, foot rot, and scab. The first is caused by a fly, the mag- 

 gots of which should be killed before they eat their way into the 

 body. The sheep should be smeared with tar or a carbolic acid 

 ointment. 



Foot rot. Foot rot is caused by a parasite which must be cut 

 out; to the wound should be applied carbolic acid ointment. 



