352 AMERICAN AGRICULTURE. 



The time for taking sheep from the pastures must depend on 

 the state of the weather and food. Severe frosts destroy 

 much of the nutriment in the grasses, and they soon after 

 cease to afford adequate nourishment. Long exposure to 

 cold storms upon such lands, with such food to sustain them, 

 will rapidly reduce their condition. The only safe rule is to 

 transfer them to their winter quarters the first day they cease 

 to thrive abroad. Drafting the flock for the purpose of rid- 

 ding it of the supernumeraries, should be done at an earlier 

 day. Such of the wethers as have attained their prime, and 

 those ewes that have passed it, ought to be withdrawn soon 

 after shearing, and provided with the best feed, and rapidly 

 fitted for the shambles. If they have been properly pushed 

 on grass, they will be in good flesh by the time they are taken 

 from it, and if not intended for stall-feeding, the sooner they 

 are then disposed of the better. Stall-feeding will be lost oil 

 an ill-shaped, unthrifty beast. The perfection of form and 

 health, and the uniform good condition which characterize 

 the thrifty one, indicate too plainly to be misunderstood, those 

 which will best repay the care of their owner. The selection 

 of any indifferent animal for stall -fatten ing, will inevitably be 

 attended with loss, and they had better be at once disposed 

 of when first brought from the pasture, for the most they will 

 bring. 



MANAGEMENT OF SHEEP FOR THE PRAIRIES. When des- 

 tined for the prairies, they ought to commence the journey as 

 early after shearing as possible. They are then disencum- 

 bered of their fleece, and do not catch and retain as much 

 dust as when driven later. Feed is also generally better, 

 and the roads are dry and hard. Young and healthy sheep 

 should be selected, with early lambs ; or if the latter are too 

 young, and the distance great, they should be left and the 

 ewes dried off. A large wagon ought to accompany the flock, 

 to carry such as occasionally give out ; or they may be dis- 

 posed of whenever they become enfeebled. With good care, 

 a hardy flock may be driven at the rate of 12 or 14 miles a 

 day. Constant watchfulness is requisite to keep them healthy 

 and in good plight. One half the expense of driving may be 

 saved by the use of well-trained shepherd-dogs. When arri- 

 ved at their destination, they must be thoroughly washed, to 

 free them from all dirt, and closely examined as to any dis- 

 eases they may have contracted, which if discovered, should 

 be promptly removed. A variety of suitable food and good 

 shelter must be provided, for the autumn, winter, and spring 



