2 ' "rural e'cONOMV in "YORKSHTRE in 1611. 



Ewes Jire such as have beene twice shome or clipped ; for from 

 lambinge time, which (usually with us) is about the middle of 

 March, till cUppiuge time, which is aboute midsummer," they 

 are called gimuier lambes ; and from that time till clippinge 

 time come againe, they are called gimmer hogges ; then after 

 they are once shome, they are Ciilled ginuner shearinges ; then 

 after that they have beene twice shome, are they cjilled ewes. 



Weathers are sucli as have formerly been tuppes, but nowe 

 are gelded ; and they are usiially called 



{Cleane weathei-s : riggon weathere : } 

 A cleane weather is such an one as liajiih had both his stones 

 taken away. A riggon weather is such an one as hath formerly 

 beene a riggon tui)pe, and hath had tliat stone taken away 

 which was in the codde, but not the other wliich was iii tlie 

 ridge of his backe. 



Of Lambes and Lambinge Time. 



, , -1 i weathers. 



Lambes are eyther | ^^i^^^^^rs. 



Tuppe lambes are none till they bee willed tuppe hogges. 

 A gimmer hogge is sayde to goe just 20 weeks with lambe : 

 A gimmer shearinge of her iirst lambe to goe 20 weekes and 

 odde days ; and an old ewe for the most parte just 21 weeks. 

 A gimmer hogge with high keei)inge will sometimes take tuppe 

 and bringe a iambe. Gimmer shearinges for the most parte 

 bringe lambs, unless it be by rejison of their extraordinary lowe 

 kee})inge ; yett is it a custome with many (of the most imder- 

 standiiige shee])e-men) to clowte their shearings to hinder them 

 from tuppinge, tliat by this meanes tliey may make them more 

 lofty sheej)e. A two sheare ewe seldome goeth gelde,'' unlesse 

 shee bee such an one as is a tuppinge evere moneth, and then is 

 shee cjiUed (of the shei)heards) a moone rider, and such an ewt; 

 is not to bi'e kept for profitt, because slie'k' neaver proave with 

 l;iml)e. A three sheare ewe is allwayes better for the buyer 

 then the seller, for then is all dainger j)ast both of sturdie and 

 bringinge u]> of lambes, and yett ail her prime to come. 



A fourc slicai'c ewe is in her prime ; 



A live sheare cwc in larabingo time 



As good ; sixe i)ast, she will decline ; 



Ere scavcn come away witli thine. 



» Tianihs arc licst nnslioiTi the first suinmor. The indiicomcnt to shonr, ondnnfjcring 

 eoinfort nii<l hcultli, has hi'i'n tho \nn-c of lambs-wool ; lor hogget M-ool is not iilw aya 

 till- more valiiithlo of the two; the prices varying according as artii'losroijuiriiig short 

 or long wool arc in fashion, 



»• Jiiirri-n ewcB arc often called cihl or veld. 



