38 PASTURING OF SHEEP. 



eel every day, only such part of it, as it may consume. 

 The flock should be fenced in, by a pen, or fold, with- 

 in which, there should be grass enough for the num- 

 ber of sheep ; the next day the pen should be shifted, 

 and so successively, until the flock shall have eaten 

 the whole pasture. 



Q. Why should moist soils be avoided ? it is in 

 these, that grass is most abundant. 



A. Moisture is injurious to sheep, when there is 

 too much of it in the ground, on which they feed or 

 run over, and in the grass, that it produces. This 

 moisture, when it is cold, as it is when the dew is on it, 

 produces a disease called the rot, the putrid liver, the 

 disease of the liver, &c. Moisture is also the cause 

 of very dangerous colicks in sheep : instinct dis- 

 poses them to wait of themselves, before grazing, till 

 the dew or white frost be dissipated. 



Q. Why is the dew of the morning more injurious 

 to sheep, than rain, or the dew of the evening ? 



A. The morning dew is commonly colder than rain 

 or the evening dew : sheep feed with less appetite, 

 when the grass is wet, except at times, when rain hap- 

 pens after a great drought, moistens the grass, and 

 makes it sweeter, and more relishing. 



Q. Why should sheep be put in the shade, and be 

 made to walk in the morning towards the west, and 

 in the evening towards the east ? 



A. Because great heat is more detrimental to sheep, 

 than great cold : their wool, which prevents the air 

 from cooling them in winter, hinders it from refresh- 

 ing them in summer, and increases the heat of their 



