ON WETHERS. 93 



Q. How ought the tail of the lamb to be cut ? 



A. This operation should be performed in mild 

 weather, when the lamb is a month or twc old, or in 

 the autumn after his birth : the tail is cut at the joint 

 between two bones : wood ashes should be put upon 

 the wound ; if the ashes should not answer, mix 

 some tallow with them. 



Q. Is it proper to cut the wool from the tail ? 



A. The wool should be cut from the tail and even 

 from the buttocks, when loaded with dung, which 

 will produce itching and the scab. 



CHAPTER XI. 



CONCERNING WETHERS. 



Q. \\ HY do they make wethers ? 



A. It is done to render the flesh more tender, and 

 to take from it a bad flavour, which it would have, if 

 the ram was left in his natural state ; to dispose him 

 to take more fat ; to make the wool finer and more 

 abundant, and at the same time, the animal more 

 gentle and manageable. 



Q. How are wethers made ? 



A. By castration ; lambs castrated are called weth- 

 ers at a year old. 



Q. At what age should lambs be castrated ? 



A . In a week or fortnight after their birth : it is al- 

 so customary to castrate them at three weeks, or at 

 five or six months ; but their flesh is never so good, as 

 when they are castrated at eight days old : the longer 



