38 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



FEEDING THIN SHEEP FOR MARKET. 



For several years farmers in the Ladner District have made a practice of 

 importing thin American sheep to run on the aftermath of the meadows. These 

 sheep are marketed in fairly good condition from Christmas-time on. Little or no 

 grain is fed, but good hay is provided if necessary. In the United States alfalfa- 

 hay is much used for fattening thin range lambs. 



SHEARING. 



The proper time to shear must be left to the discretion of the owner. If the 

 weather conditions are good it is best to shear when the wool begins to loosen up 

 or " rise " ; probably in April on the farm and later on the range. Shearing should 

 be over by the time the hot weather commences. Shearing seems to act as a 

 stimulus to the sheep, and they will immediately start to gain if well cared for. 



Washing. Sheep should not be washed before shearing unless they are very 

 dirty and the wool chaffy. It is impossible for the farmer to do the job thoroughly, 

 and there is danger of the animal catching cold. If shearing is done soon after 

 washing, the weight of the wool shorn is much less, due to the washing-out of the 

 oil in the wool. 



Removal of the Fleece. A good job can be done with the hand-shears, but a 

 novice is sure to cut a lot of wool twice, and is also liable to injure the sheep. The 

 hand-power machine will be found useful on the farm. It can be obtained with 

 different attachments for clipping sheep, horses, and cows. To shear, the sheep is 

 thrown and placed on its haunches with its back against the shearer's legs. Com- 

 mencing at the throat, an opening is made down the belly ; then the legs are clipped, 

 and the head and then one side clipped along until the backbone is reached. This 

 latter is done with the sheep lying on the other side. By holding a front leg and 

 keeping the head down the sheep is easily controlled. Then the animal is turned 

 over to clip along the other side. When finished the sheep is lying on the untorn 

 fleece. 



The following concise directions on preparing wool for market are given in 

 Pamphlet No. 2 of the Sheep Division, Live Stock Branch, Ottawa : 



" Directions for caring for Sheep in order to produce a Good Quality and Con- 

 dition of Wool. (1.) Feed sheep well and regularly. Sheep poorly fed will possess 

 a harsh fleece lacking in oil and frequently with a feeble or weak fibre. This does 

 not constitute desirable wool for sale. Where sheep are starved for a period, the 

 effects will be shown in the wool by a weak section which will break readily and, 

 consequently, cannot be used satisfactorily for combing or worsted purposes. 



"(2.) Every effort should be taken to keep the wool free from chaff, hay, and 

 burrs. This can be avoided by using proper feed-racks and care in preventing hay 

 or straw dropping upon the sheep during feeding. 



" 3. If sheep are scouring, if possible keep the wool well clipped behind, so 

 as to prevent the formation of heavy dung-locks. 



"(4.) Endeavour to eliminate in breeding operations black sheep from the flock. 

 Mate only sheep possessing pure white wool. Black wool is sold in the reject class. 



"(5.) In marking sheep, never use oil paint or tar, which are insoluble and will 

 not scour from the wool. 



"(6.) Sheep should be dipped in some reliable material twice a year, in the fall 

 before entering winter quarters and in the spring after shearing. 



"Directions for preparing and packing Wool (1.) Shearing should be done on 

 a clean board floor, never on the dirt, and the fleece should be kept as compact as 

 possible. 



"(2.) Fleeces should be tied with paper twine, never binder or sisal twine. 

 Turn in the sides of the fleece and roll compactly from tail to neck with the bright 

 or clipped surface outward. 



"(3.) The wool should be packed in very closely woven jute, hemp, or paper- 

 lined sacks. 



