CONTENTS. XIX 



carcase aud fleece— remarks by Youatt — changed character of Eng- 

 lish wools since the introduction of the turnip system — Dr. Parry's 

 remarks — deductions from the premises — variety of herbage necessa- 

 ry to the welfare of sheep — experiments by Linnseus in otfering plants 

 to the horse, ox, and sheep — instinct of sheep on this point — philoso- 

 phy of variety of herbage — remarks in review — change from old to 

 new pastures recommended — reasons for changing the pasture often 

 — small fields recom.mended — incidental duties — remarks growing out 

 of localities of British sheep. 

 Grasses. Degree of nutriment they possess — Vernal — Meadow Foxtail 

 — Blue Meadow — Rough-stalked — Sheep's Fescue — Round-headed 

 Cock's Foot — Welsh Fescue — Narrow-leaved Meadow — Meadow 

 Fescue— Rye-grass— Fertile Meadow— Cat's-tail or Timothy— Tre- 

 foil Clover — White Clover — remarks. 

 Shade Trees. Not appreciated by the American husbandman as they 

 should be — grateful to sheep during the summer — will thrive better 

 if provided for them — kinds of trees for shade mentioned. 

 Water. Not so necessary for sheep as other animals — they need it 



in August — breeding ewes should have access to it at all times. 

 Weaning Lambs. The time dependent on the breed and other circum- 

 stances — the usual time of suckling four months — when the ewes and 

 lambs are separated, they should be put far apart — reasons — lambs 

 should not be put on too high keep immediately — consequences of so 

 doing — salting them to avoid the danger from gorging themselves — 

 tame sheep put with the lambs — ewes for a week or more should be 

 put on low keep — danger of doing otherwise — after which their feed 

 must be good — reasons. 

 Ear-marking. Lambs should be marked when they are weaned — 



cropping the ears should be avoided. 

 Wheat Stubbles. Danger of turning sheep upon them — reasons there- 

 for — swine should always precede sheep — other grain stubbles not 

 dangerous to sheep — young sheep should be turned on them. 

 Overstocking. Opinions of a foreigner — overstocking too common with 

 American farmers — consequences of overstocking — 35 acres required 

 for supporting 100 sheep of the Merino and Saxon varieties — example 

 cited of a New York flock-master, 

 Fall Pasturing. Sheep should not be kept on pasture exclusively, late 



in the fall — reasons assigned. 

 Sorting for Winter. Necessity for classifying sheep — particulars 

 mentioned — early preparation for winter important — reasons . . 192 



CHAPTER XL 



WINTER MANAGEMENT. 



Introductory Remarks — Observations on Climate. Sheep dispersed 

 over a large portion of the world — accounted for — the sheep, if long 

 accustomed to a temperate climate, it is difficult to model at will — 

 circumstances which influence — geographical positions where the sheep 

 does not attain perfection — extremes of temperature unfavorable — if 

 left to its instincts will avoid extremes — remarks of Blacklock — favor- 

 able climate of Australia for sheep— the sheep does best in the coun- 



