162 MANAGEMENT OF SHEEP. 



of shearing all the wool growing on the udder, as well, if it 

 is long, a little from around it, which permits the lamb, in 

 its first attempts to suck, to find the teats without difficulty. 

 This is very important, for if the lamb drops when the tem- 

 perature is low, the sooner it receives nourishment the better ; 

 but if delayed in finding the teats, from the cause stated, the 

 cold prostrates it, and it soon dies. 



Ewes, if tagged at the period recommended, are generally, 

 in the Northern States at least, heavy with lamb, and there- 

 fore humanity demands that they should be handled with the 

 utmost care, or abortion may follow. 



The tag wool should be placed in a dry situation until 

 ready for use, and if wet, which is very common, it should 

 be spread thinly over the floor, and at intervals of two or 

 three days, stirred with a fork. 



There are many household purposes, such as flannels, 

 stockings, and carpeting, to which this description of wool 

 can be converted ; and the increased price the fleece wool 

 will command, aflbrds an ample compensation to the farmer 

 for the expense of tagging his sheep as directed. He will 

 find consolation, also, in having performed an honest part 

 towards the manufacturer. 



CUTTING HORNS AND HOOFS. 



After the individual has performed his task of tagging, let 

 him place the sheep upon its feet, and if the toes of the 

 hoof require cutting, let another be at hand with a sharp 

 chisel and mallet to do it. This will often be found neces- 

 sary with the Merino and Saxon breeds ; and the ground 

 being usually wet at this season, the hoofs will be softer and 

 more easily cut, than perhaps at any after period. The 

 paring of the feet also, adopted by many in localities where 

 foot-rot prevails, as a prevention of that disease, might now 

 be attended to.* 



It is not unfrequently the case, that the horns of sheep 

 are turned inwards, and from this cause likely to grow into 

 the head or eyes, unless prevented. If neglected, a wound 

 in the flesh ensues, causing great irritation ; and if in the 

 warm season, life is endangered by attacks from maggots. 

 If the horn is large, a fine saw should be used ; if other- 

 wise, the chisel and mallet will perform it soonest, and in- 



* See Foot-rot. 



