109 



A. It is necessary to put them in the shade in the 

 middle of the day, when the sun is very scorching. 

 On the contrary, if cold, rain, or hail is to be appre- 

 hended, it is not proper to remove the flock far from 

 the fold, lest it be necessary to bring it back speedily 

 to put it under cover. This more rarely happens to 

 sheep, which are always in the open air, than to oth- 

 ers ; for in a fold, which is situated in the depart- 

 ment of la Cote d'or, near to Montbard, and where 

 there have been no stables for thirty years, they have 

 never been obliged to put sheep under cover after 

 being shorn. 



Q. How can the flocks be put under cover in 

 folds, where they remain always in the open air, and 

 where, of course, there are no stables ? 



A. If they are obliged to put flocks under cover 

 after shearing, it is in a season when the barns are 

 empty, which may serve as a retreat to sheep, to 

 shelter or warm them. 



Q. At what time, and in what manner, are the 

 fleeces washed ? 



A. They are washed immediately after shearing, 

 in the hottest days of July, because the water, being 

 heated, cleans the wool better : the fleeces may be 

 washed in running, and even stagnant water, if it be 

 clear. They begin with picking off* the straws, and 

 other matters adhering to the fleeces, which are beat- 

 en to get out the dust ; and the flakes are opened, in 

 order that the water may more easily penetrate them. 

 The wool is afterwards put into large wicker baskets, 

 placed in the middle of the water, and stirred in dif~ 



