CHAPTER IX. 



SUMMER MANAGEMENT CONTINUED 



SHEARING— INTERIM BETWEEN WASHING AND SHEARING— SORTING 

 —MARKING THE SHEEP— ROLLING THE FLEECES— ARRANGEMENT 

 OF WOOL FOR SALE— SHEARING-HOUSE— BALEING WOOL— SHEEP 

 TICK— MAGGOT-FLY— NOXIOUS WEEDS. 



SHEARING. 



This event, the harvest of the shepherd, as the reader has 

 been informed^ in the " olden time" was celebrated at its 

 conclusion with feastings and other demonstrations of rejoi- 

 cing. But this goodly custom has for long been discontin- 

 ued in this country, if we except the " ancients" of Nantucket, 

 who yet pertinaciously adhere annually to its observance. 



It is very properly termed a harvest, for thus it is to the 

 faithful and humane flock-master ; but the reverse of this is 

 the case with that unprofitable servant, whose slothfulness 

 and negligence may be seen manifested in the emaciated and 

 partly denuded forms of his flock, at this interesting period. 

 The former reaps a bountiful reward, while the other gathers 

 little else than hurs and tag-lochs ! 



The remarks of censure prefixed to the notices on tagging, 

 washing, and castration, in reference to the heedless and 

 unskilful manner with which these matters are usually at- 

 tended to, by a large majority of wool-growers, will apply 

 with tenfold force to the subject now under consideration. 

 It will be proper to say, without ceremony or fear of contra- 

 diction, that the shearing of sheep, as generally conducted 

 in the United States, is utterly disgraceful. The passing 

 traveller, to be satisfied of the truth of this assertion, need 

 not confine his observation to the " poor man's flock" as seen 

 grazing by the roadside, but in the fields of those who sus- 

 tain the reputation of good farmers in their respective neigh- 

 borhoods, will often behold sheep whose appearance indicate 



