THE SHEEP. " 65 



MANAGEMENT OF SHEEP IN SUMMER. 



Sheep require pastures that are diy. They thrive 

 best on high table-land or mountain ridges, abounding in 

 bitter plants and aromatic herbs. A trough fastened to the 

 ground, and containing salt, ought always to be accessible 

 to them. As sheep roam over a large space of ground, 

 it is well to divide their pasture into small portions, re- 

 moving them often from one to another. The flock will 

 require to be examined several times each week, in or- 

 der that the diseased ones, if any are found, may be at 

 once removed, to prevent others taking the malady. Du- 

 ring the extreme heat of summer it is important to the 

 health of the sheep to keep them in fields that contain 

 plenty of shade-trees and running water. The husband- 

 man will be well repaid by giving white beans to his 

 flock as often as once a week. By the middle of sum- 

 mer select the sheep designed for market, always pre- 

 serving the best ones for breeding ; and they should be 

 early separated from their lambs, to enable them to I'e- 

 gain their usual flesh before the commencement of win- 

 ter. It will be necessary to give a small quantity of 

 potatoes, meal, or grain, to those preparing for market. 



MANAGEMENT OF SHEEP DURING 

 AUTUMN. 



In the early part of autumn sheep are subject to sev- 

 eral complaints, some of which may be averted by putting 

 tar in their salt-troughs, or applying it with a brush to 

 their noses. At this season all the very fat ones should 

 be taken to market, as it is doubtful whether they can 

 ever again acquire so much flesh. Sheep require hou- 

 sing when the frosty nights commence, and should be 

 permanently taken from the pastures before they begin 

 to lose flesli by the scarcity of food and the severity of 

 the weather. 



MANAGEMENT OF SHEEP DURING 

 NAf'INTER. 



Before the extreme cold weather commences, they 

 should be brought into winter-quarters, and the young 

 and feeble be separated from the strong and healthy, 

 6 



