AND RURAL ECONOMIST. 221 



are white, with a large quantity of wool on the belly, tail, 

 head and ears, down to the eyes ; that the best sheep for 

 propagation are those which have most wool, and that close, 

 long, silky and white ; especially if at the same time they 

 have a large body, a thick neck, and arc light footed.' 



He says, ' that ewes fatten very fast during their pregnan- 

 cy; that as they often hurt themselves, and frequently mis- 

 carry, so they sometimes become barren ; and that it is not 

 very extraordinary for them to bring forth monstrous pro- 

 ductions. But when properly tended, they are capable of 

 yeaning during the whole of their life, or to the age of ten 

 or twelve years. But most commonly when they come to 

 be seven or eight year old, they begin to break, and become 

 sickly ; and that a ram is no longer fit for propagation after 

 eight years, at which time he should be fattened with the 

 old sheep.' 



According to the same writer, ' sheep should in the sum- 

 mer be turned out early in the morning to feed ; and in four 

 or five hours, after watering, be brought back to the fold, or 

 to some shady place. At four o'clock, in the afternoon, they 

 should be turned to their pasture again, and continue there 

 till evening ; and were it not for the danger of wolves, they 

 should pass the night in the open air, which would render 

 them more vigorous, clean, and healthy. As the too great 

 heat of the sun is hurtful to them, shady pastures are best 

 for them ; or else to drive them to a place with a western 

 descent in the morning, and the contrary towards evening.' 

 That their wool may be saved, they should not be pastured 

 in bushy places, or where there are briars. Sheep are often 

 thus deprived of most of their fleeces; which, besides the loss 

 of the wool, is very hurtful to the animals, when the wea- 

 ther is not warm. 



The above writer directs, ' that every year a flock of sheep 

 should be examined, in order to find out such as begin to grow 

 old, and ought to be turned off for fattening. As they re- 

 quire a particular management, so they should be put in a 

 flock by themselves. They should feed while the grass is 

 moistened with dew in the morning. Salt should be given 

 them to excite thirst, as the more they drink the faster they 

 will grow fat."^ But to complete their fattening, and make 

 their flesh firm and solid, they should have some corn or grain 



* It has been found, however, that salt given in excess is injurious to 

 sheep. 



19=* 



