184 MANAGEMENT OF SHEET. 



to good keep ; and indeed so of all others of tlie flock, if 

 possible. 



MARKING, ETC. 



There is another incidental duty connected with shearing 

 time — namely, marking the sheep before they are finally 

 disposed of to the fields. It is usually done by the shearer 

 or with his aid. This does not refer to ear-marks, but paint- 

 ing the initial letter of the owner's name upon the body of 

 the sheep, which, however, is commonly performed in a very 

 uncouth and ludicrous style. This can be obviated by hav- 

 ing the letter cut in pasteboard, and thereby some degree of 

 taste and uniformity will result. If a letter is not indispen- 

 sable, it will be better to have an iron formed to represent a 

 ring, triangle, or diamond, with a handle attached ; then dip 

 the iron in the paint, which should be deposited in a shallow 

 vessel, and immediately apply it to the wethers on the right 

 shoulders, ewes on the left, or vice versa, and the bucks on 

 the rump. This is practicable, if others near by do not 

 adopt the same mark. Such marks of ownership are quite 

 necessary, with a view to distant or more obvious recogni- 

 tion, and more especially so if any of the flock are breachy 

 and disposed to stray. The manner in which it is done fre- 

 quently reflects the character of the flock-master. If it is 

 done neatly, the inference is that his other performances are 

 likewise. 



The materials for marking should be lampblack and lin- 

 seed oil, or, as a substitute for the latter, hog's lard. Let the 

 lampblack be " killed," as painters term it, by using a very 

 little of spirits of turpentine, before the oil is mixed. It will 

 not rub oiF so easily if allowed to stand twenty-four hours 

 before applied. It is common to use tar ; but this is objec- 

 tionable with the manufacturer, it being difficult to separate 

 by the cleansing process. 



As soon as the flock is pounded for shearing, the lambs 

 should be separated before anything else is done, lest the 

 wound occasioned by severing the dock should be irritated 

 by the squeezing and jostling of the old ones. An exam- 

 ination of the altered tups may be made to see if all is right. 

 If there are any worms (which is not very likely if the pre- 

 caution has been observed to anoint thoroughly as recom- 

 mended), let spirits of turpentine be applied, which the flock- 

 master should never be without. 



