618 



FARMER'S CYCLOPEDIA OF LIVE STOCK 



the wool. Where, however, a man has 

 a flock of 1,000 or more to shear, and 

 can supply the power for running the 

 machines by steam or gasoline, it may 

 be found economical. In the hands of 

 the novice a little better job can be done 

 with the machine clippers perhaps than 

 with hand shears, otherwise there is no 

 advantage in them. A further disad- 

 vantage is that the knives must be re- 

 turned to the factory for sharpening, 

 oftentimes causing delay at a critical 

 time in the shearing. 



fective from the manufacturer's stand- 

 point and practically as good prices are 

 secured for unwashed wool now as for 

 the so-called washed wool. Of course, if 

 shearing is done in the latter part of 

 April, washing is generally out of the 

 question, as at that early time of the 

 year it would endanger both the health 

 of the sheep and the men employed to 

 wash them. 



When sheep are wasbed, they are usu- 

 ally driven to some river or creek, where 

 the water is waist deep, and then taken 



Fig. 384 YEARLING ANGORA 



(Bur. Anim. Ind. Bui. 27) 



The time to shear sheep in the north- 

 ern states is April or May. The earlier 

 the sheep can be sheared in the season, 

 without causing discomfort from cold 

 to the sheep, the greater the weight of 

 fleece is likely to be and the better the 

 quality of the wool. 



Washing sheep — Some years ago, 

 sheep were generally washed before 

 shearing. This practice has almost en- 

 tirely gone out of vogue. The washing 

 in creeks or otherwise is entirely inef- 



one by one into the stream. When a 

 sheep is thoroughly soaked, the fleece 

 \s shaken and squeezed so that the dirt 

 is washed away. The head of the sheep 

 should, of course, be held above water, 

 and after they are washed they should 

 be turned on a clean, grassy lot to dry. 

 Oftentimes the fleece is so hea^y with 

 water that the sheep will need assistance 

 in getting on their feet. Ewes in lamb 

 must be handled with especial care, 

 though in most flocks the washing will 



