288 MANAGEMENT AND FEEDING OF SHEEP 



Prominent among the arguments that favor shear- 

 ing sheep without washing them are the following: (i) 

 When shorn unwashed, the shearing may be done earlier 

 than when washing precedes the shearing; (2) when foot 

 rot is present, washing is a sure means of distributing 

 the same; and (3) washing frequently harms the sheep 

 and also those who wash them. 



When sheep are shorn unwashed, they can be shorn 

 as early as may be desired. When washed before shorn, 

 it is necessary to wait for the water to warm before the 

 sheep are washed when any considerable number are to 

 be thus washed. Of course, it would be possible to heat 

 the water when only a small number are to be shorn. 



Experience has shown that if sheep are not washed 

 until the water in brooks or ponds becomes warm enough 

 to admit of washing them, that they suffer from an excess 

 of heat which so far interferes with and hinders the high- 

 est increase that may be obtained from them. Especially 

 is this true of sheep that are being fattened and of dams 

 that are nursing their lambs, and it is also true of the 

 lambs. The increase made by sheep that are being 

 pushed on stimulating foods for the market is seriously 

 hindered by allowing them to suffer from the excessive 

 heat which results from carrying a fleece which is no 

 longer necessary to protect them. Likewise ewes that 

 are suckling lambs can furnish more milk for them when 

 not burdened with a heavy fleece of wool. 



When foot rot is present in any given locality, the 

 danger is imminent that it will be contracted by and dis- 

 tributed in flocks that occupy pens that are used in com- 

 mon to confine sheep that are being washed. Even though 

 the different flocks should occupy different pens when 

 being washed at a common washing place, it is not easily 

 possible to prevent them from treading on common 

 ground and thus contracting the disease. 



The process of washing involves the handling of the 

 sheep more or less. It also involves handling them be- 



