34 ON THE KNOWLEDGE 



and last a long time : in short, such as are most health} 

 and best proportioned, in order to be robust and vig- 

 orous. 



Q. How is the quality of the wool ascertained, on 

 the body of the animal ? 



A. It is known by separating the locks of wool, in 

 order to examing it quite to the roots, and by pulling 

 out small tufts of it, better to ascertain the fineness 

 of its filaments. 



Q. Ought the tallest sheep to be preferred ? 



A. No ; a sheep of a middling size, and even small, 

 is preferable to a larger, when it has better wool ; but 

 when the quality of the wool is the same, the largest 

 sized animal should be selected, being more profitable 

 in their fleeces, and for sale to the butcher, and also 

 stronger and more robust. 



Q. Is the largest breed to be preferred in every 

 country ? 



A. No ; because very fertile pastures are necessary 

 for sheep of the large breed, such as that of Flanders, 

 which would not find nourishment enough, in high, 

 or dry grounds, where the grass is scarce and thin ; 

 such grounds agree best with the small species, 

 which require less nourishment. Sheep of the large 

 size should not be put upon moist grounds, because 

 they are more liable to the rot, than sheep of the small 

 breed, especially as there is less to lose on the small, 

 if attacked with this disease, than upon the large. 



Q. At what age is it proper, to select sheep to form 

 a flock ? 



A It is necessary to take rams at two years old, at 



