ESSAY ON SHEEP HUSBANDRY, 155 



never fold our Merino or other sheep ; the land is too wet." 



p. 71. 



These facts show that sheep do enrich the land, whether it 



be the " dank or the dry." 



LOSS OF SHEEP BY SICKNESS AND OTHER CAUSES IS 



TRIFLING. 



It is believed that two per cent, will cover all losses by sick- 

 ness. And we have a great advantage over the south and west 

 in regard to dogs. Sportsmen hold them so indispensable 

 there, that legislators are indulgent, and pass few laws against 

 them. In short, however, whether the sheep dies or is killed, 

 it has been well remarked, it never dies insolveiif. The wool 

 will cover all the animal costs for rearing and feeding. 

 AVASHING SHEEP. 



This operation is usually performed about a week before 

 shearing. It is a severe one to the animal, and attended with 

 much labor and some danger to the operator. Sheep often take 

 a chill which they do not survive. If followed by cold wet 

 weather, the consequences cannot but be bad. Cannot the 

 washing be dispensed with ? I believe it can. The experi- 

 ment has been made, to wash the wool after shearing, and 

 spare the sheep The fleece need not be greatly broken ; and 

 humanity certainly requires that a perfect substitute for so un- 

 natural an operation would be found in the way just intimat- 

 ed. 



DISEASES OF SHEEP. 



An Essay upon sheep would be imperfect, without some- 

 thing upon their disorders. The flocks in Europe are often de- 

 vastated by fevers, both malignant, inflammatory, and typhus ; 

 but they are scarcely known in the United States. 



The same remark applies, says Randall, to inflammation of 

 the brain, (phrenitis,) of the stomach, (gastritis,) of the bow- 

 els, (enteretis,) bladder, (cystitis,) &c. 



Opthalmia (inflammation of the eye,) is not uncommon in the 

 United States. Mr. Grove recommended blowing pulverized 

 red chalk into the inflamed eye, and some throw in tobacco 

 juice ! Mr. Randall was of opinion that pain was diminished 

 by bathing with tepid water; and also a weak solution of the 

 sulphate of zinc combined with tincture of opium. 



