174 MANAGEMENT OF SHEEP. 



but it is exported " in the dirt," which will explain it. The 

 above statement proves conclusively the inditferent manner 

 with which wools grown in the United States are washed by 

 the growers, and calls loudly for a relbrm. 



CASTRATION AND DOCKING, 



This is an important and necessary operation to lambs, 

 but in very many instances is cruelly and unskilfully per- 

 formed. 



The proper time depends much on the weather, the size of 

 the lamb, and varying from five to twenty days from its birth. 



As the ewes about washing time are, or should be, through 

 parturition, two or three days after, a cool one may be select- 

 ed for this purpose, although with the great mass it is de- 

 ferred to the period of shearing. No matter, however, as to 

 this, provided it is done very early in the morning, as a warm, 

 moist temperature is very unpropitious, on account of the 

 danger attending it. This arises from the extraordinary ef- 

 fusion of blood in individual instances, which frequently re- 

 sults in the death of the lamb. 



Let the lambs be brought from the field with as little 

 bustle and hurry as possible, and immediately confined in a 

 small pound, to prevent any exercise or running about when 

 catching them. This, and the observance of the following 

 rules, have been the practice of the writer many years : — 



One catches a lamb and seats himself astride of a narrow 

 plank or scantling, which is placed at an inclination of about 

 30 degrees, pressing the back of the lamb firmly against his 

 belly, and with his hands grasps the hind legs, drawing them 

 upwards and towards him, so that the scrotum is fairly ex- 

 posed for the operation. The operator with a sharp knife 

 cuts off* about one half to two thirds of the testicle bag ; then 

 drops his knife, and draws out one of the testicles at a time, 

 till a portion of the connecting cord is seen, which he divides 

 by friction of his thumb nail. This mode of division la- 

 cerates the cord, and less bleeding will follow than if done 

 by a sharp instrument. It may, to some, appear unnecessary, 

 and therefore objectionable, to cut ofif so much of the scrotum 

 or bag ; but if dislodged of its contents it is certainly quite 

 an useless afl^air, the little wool growing upon it being almost 

 worthless, and a bother always to the tagger and shearer when 

 •-utting it ofif. No danger can arise either, if the ointment, 

 which will presently be spoken of, is used. 



