WINTER MANAGEMENT. 217 



nure is protected from the weather, its virtues are not dissi- 

 pated by the winds ; and, being amassed at a single point, 

 can be distributed when and where it best suits the interest 

 of the husbandman. In Germany, England, and elsewhere 

 in Europe, this matter is deemed of such consequence, it is 

 customary to fold the sheep nightly in convenient places, 

 that their manure may be concentrated, and subsequently 

 deposited where it is most needed. Thus the American 

 wool-grower, if he chooses, can make his flocks efficient 

 auxiliaries to increase the productiveness of his lands, and 

 thereby reap greatly additional profits from his labors. 



What has been advanced in support of the policy of pro- 

 tection, it is apparent, has been with entire reference to pe- 

 cuniary gain; but does not humanity urge us to its adoption? 

 If the sheep had not been tamed to man's submission, its in- 

 stincts would not have led it to regions like ours. No, the 

 God of nature would have protected it from the sufferings 

 inseparable from northern winters, by guiding its wandering 

 steps to warmer climes. Therefore, since man has ap- 

 propriated it to his use, does not the great Dispenser of 

 good require of us that we should deal kindly towards it ? 

 It is, indeed, a religious obligation thus to do, which it would 

 seem none but barbarians would violate. When the storm 

 howls, and bitter cold urges around the " blazing hearth," 

 let us feel happy in the reflection that we have provided the 

 animal, which clothes and warms us, with the means of 

 making its situation alike comfortable with ourselves. 



Before entering into further details of a mere mechanical 

 nature connected with management, it will be proper to il- 

 lustrate the foregoing results by some familiar reference to 

 the principles of chemistry, and which will serve also as a 

 fit prelude to observations on feeding QX\di fattening. 



PRODUCTION OF ANIMAL HEAT. 



Animal heat is produced by means of respiration, the 

 chemical process being carried on in the lungs. 



An extremely subtle fluid pervades all nature denominated 

 caloric, the particles of which have a tendency to repel each 

 other and unite with other substances. This is apparent if 

 we touch a body the temperature of which is lower than that 

 of the hand, caloric passing rapidly from it to the substance, 

 and a sensation of cold is experienced; and, on the contrary, 



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