APPENDIX, 



(Note A. — p. 18.) Housing Sheep. 



If sheep were allowed to give their voice on the subject, there is little doubt how 

 the question would be decided. Where a shed is open at one side, sheep in case of 

 a cold storm of rain or sleet, will always, if left to govern themselves, seek a shelter. 

 Under other circumstances they are equally disposed to remain in the open air. 



The very fine wooled sheep, whose constitutions are tender, require much nursing; 

 and in our climate must be sheltered. This is necessary, also, in order to preserve 

 the fineness of the wool; and some shepherds go so far as to put linen jackets upon 

 them. With respect to the coarse wooled sheep, and the half bloods, many of the 

 best farmers in Vermont and in the Western part of Massachusetts, have come to 

 the conclusion that their flocks are, upon the whole, better in health, and that the 

 ppr centage of loss in their flocks is less, where the flocks are fed at stacks in the 

 field and rarely housed, except occasionally at their own pleasure, than where they 

 are regularly shut up every night in a covered and close fold. Any one, who has 

 been accustomed to the air of a sheep house, where a flock has been confined all 

 night, can hardly doubt that it must be prejudicial to the health of the animals unless 

 their lungs are made of leather. 



Our climate differs essentially from that of England; but with us to fold sheep in 

 wet yards is likely to produce the disease of the foot-rot, a most troublesome disor- 

 der and extremely difficult to eradicate. If it does not produce the disease, yet if 

 the poison is lurking within the fool, it will bring it out and aggravate it. It is an 

 infectious disorder, and I know from experience, much to be dreaded; though I am 

 not prepared to say with a writer of no small credit, that the only effectual rem- 

 edy is to cut off the sheep's head. H. C 



(Note B.— p. 18.) Turnips. 



The common flat or white turnip is little cultivated among us, excepting for the 

 table. The Swedish turnip or ruta baga is much more valued for its solidity, its 

 supposed superior nutritiveness, and its endurance. It may be kept perfectly well 

 until May, and often until June. They are easily grown; but the condition of the 

 land cannot be too much enriched. With respect to the keeping of them through the 

 winter, we protest, on account of the health and comfort of his family, against 

 a farmer's ever putting any of the turnip or cabbage family into his house cellar; 

 but they may be stored in his barn cellar, or a deposit may be made for them on 

 his barn floor if the sides be well filled in and the top carefully covered with hay, for 

 which purpose the poorest will answer. Or I have preserved them in perfection by 

 pitting them in the field where they grew. For this purpose, on the driest part of 

 the field, dig a hole about six inches or a foot in depth, and wide and long ac- 



