﻿THE MANAGEMENT OE SHEEP ON THE FARM. 47 



SHEARING AND CARE OF THE WOOL.- 



Flocks are shorn in some parts of the United States during almost 

 every month of the year. From Texas to Montana there is a range 

 of six months in the time of shearing. In Texas and California the 

 flocks are shorn twice a year, spring and fall. By this practice it 

 is claimed a pound more of wool per sheep is obtained. However, 

 the staple is not so valuable because of its shorter length. 



Most farm flocks are shorn during April and May. The time of 

 shearing will vary with the locality, season, shelter available, etc. 

 Shearing should not take place too early or the sheep will suffer from 

 the cold, and it should not be delayed too long or they will be affected 

 by the heat. In the latter case they lose flesh and shed their wool. 



The Michigan station 1 found that early shearing (during April) 

 gave heavier average fleeces with greater strength of fiber. Where 

 early shearing is practiced, suitable shelter should be provided until 

 the sheep become accustomed to the change. As mentioned under 

 '' Shearing* breeding ewes," the flock should be shorn before being 

 turned out to pasture. 



In former years it was common to wash sheep before shearing, but 

 this is seldom practiced at the present time. Sheep should never be 

 shorn when the fleece is damp. There is danger of deterioration in 

 quality when damp wool is stored. 



MACHINE COMPARED WITH HAND SHEARING. 



Machine shearing is gradually taking the place of hand shearing, 

 especially in the larger flocks. One can learn to shear much faster, 

 the work is easier, more sheep can be shorn in a day, more wool 

 secured, and a smoother and neater job can be done with a machine. 

 The sheep are not cut so often nor so severely, and " second cuts" of 

 the wool are not so frequent as with hand shears. However, shearing 

 with a machine is objectionable either early or late in the season 

 because the wool is shorn so closely. 



A clean place should be provided for shearing. Every j)ossible 

 precaution should be taken to keep all foreign material out of the 

 wool. If a smooth, clean floor is not available, a temporary plat- 

 form should be built. In shearing by hand many shearers prefer to 

 use a bench about 18 inches high. The principal objection to this is 

 that it is necessary to lift the sheep upon it. The sheep should be 

 confined near the place of shearing to lessen the amount of work in 

 handling them. 



With the ordinary farm flock a hand machine is commonly used, 

 but power machines are advisable where the size of the flock will 

 warrant it. A sufficient number of combs and cutters should be kept 

 on hand to cover breakage and prevent delay in shearing. 



i Experiment Station of the Michigan Agricultural College, Bulletin 178, East Lansing, 1900. 



