CHAPTER XL 



WINTER MANAGEMENT. 



INTRODUCTORY REMARKS— OBSERVATIONS ON CLIMATE— PRO- 

 TECTION OF SHEEP— PRODUCTION OF ANIMAL HEAT. 



INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. 



On reviewing the subject of Summer Management, it will 

 be perceived that the duties of the flock-master are far from 

 being few, and that uolhing short of unremitted care is re- 

 quired to ensure that degree of condition and health with 

 his sheep, to enable them to withstand the hardships of 

 Northern winters. If it has been thus, it will be well with 

 them, and the truthful adage, " well summered, half wintered,^'' 

 will be verified. On the other hand, if they have not suffi- 

 ciently occupied his thoughts, and have been permitted to 

 " sherk" for themselves ; while the rest of his stock only 

 have eaten of the fat of the pasture, — it will not be so well 

 with them ; and consequently, it will be a vain expectation 

 that, at the proper time, they will make grateful returns for 

 attention and humane treatment which they have not re- 

 ceived. 



But whatever may be the condition of the flock when 

 winter arrives, to carry it through with safety and profit, 

 greater skill and attention will be called in requisition than 

 during any other period of the year, as will be fully demon- 

 strated before the detail of duties involved is concluded. 



OBSERVATIONS ON CLIMATE. 



Although the influence of temperature upon the sheep has 

 been partially considered in the early part of the work, yet 

 a few additional remarks are deemed necessary, with a view 

 to establish certain premises, from which useful deductions 

 will be drawn, having an important bearing on the duties in- 

 terwoven with winter economy. 



