AND RURAL ECONOMIST. 231 



the first of May if the weather is favorable, and continues 

 daily until he completes his shearing. For the first week, 

 he puts those sheared under cover or in close yards every 

 night ; by that time the wool will grow so as to give them a 

 sufficient covering. By this practice of early shearing he 

 gains much wool, which formerly, when he put his shearing 

 ofi till the middle of June, the sheep would shed; and far- 

 ther, when thus early sheared, the wool begins to start and 

 grow much quicker than when shearing is deferred to the 

 usual time. He says, that formerly, being exposed immedi- 

 ately after shearing to the rays of the sun, their bare backs 

 would frequently become sore and scabby, when no wool 

 will grow till healed, and then what does grow from these 

 scars is thinner and coarser than the rest. 



' Mr. Potter states, that he has found from actual experi- 

 ment, that he not only gets more wool, which would other- 

 wise be lost, but the succeeding ivool will be from half an 

 inch to an inch longer, if sheared early, than it will be if 

 delayed to the usual time of shearing. And farther, there is 

 not the same necessity for Avashing the sheep, as the wool is 

 much cleaner, more free from sand and dirt, when taken off 

 early, than it would be if suifered to remain on their backs 

 1 til a hot sun had compelled them to seek refuge under 

 wails and fences.' 



The foregoing authorities are apparently altogether con- 

 tradictory, as respects the time of year in which to shear 

 sheep. But it is to be observed, that Mr. Potter did not 

 wash his sheep before shearing, which must make considera- 

 ble difference with regard to the risk from cold ; and Mr. Pot- 

 ter appears to have been careful to shelter his sheep after 

 shearing, which must in a great measure obviate the disad- 

 vantages of early shearing. 



Mr. Lawrence, an eminent English writer, asserts, ' It has 

 frequently appeared to me, on reflection, that it might be 

 preferable to shear all kinds of sheep unwashed, and to wash 

 them after shearing, when it would be much more effectual 

 with respect to their health. Such as were affected with 

 foulness or eruption of the skin might be washed and scrub- 

 bed in a lye of water and wood ashes, in a large tub which 

 would contain three. It would both conduce to the health 

 of the sheep and promote the regular groAvth of the wool. 

 Wool would probably keep best in the grease, and dust 

 might be shaken from it. Any difficulty in respect to fixing 



