64 



THE farmer's guide. 



species of tins animal. The stock originally raised in 

 this country was derived from Great Britain ; this has 

 generally given place to the Merino, the first importation 

 of which was made by the American minister at the court 

 of Versailles, Chancellor Livingston, in 1802. Since 

 that period Merinos have been bred of either pure or 

 mixed blood, in almost every sheep-growing county in 

 the United States and the Canadas. The Saxon sheep 

 were introduced into this country in 1S24, and are now 

 to be found in various sections of the Union. 

 MANAGEMENT OF SHEEP DURING THE 

 SPRING. 

 As soon as the mild weather of spring appears, and 

 long before all the snow has disappeared, sheep exhibit 

 an inclination to leave their long confinement and seek 

 their food in the meadow or pasture. It is well, how- 

 ever, to keep tliem confined until the snow has mostly 

 disappeared, and 'che ground becomes nearly dry. Sheep 

 at this season should be yarded where they can have 

 access to the ground in the daytime, and be fed occasion- 

 ally with potatoes and turnips. 



