VI 



PREFACE. 



to me that a brief notice of these would be acceptable ; 

 and, in addition, I have introduced all that the Scriptures 

 afford us concerning the sheep, thereby bringing forward 

 everything of consequence to know from the most remote 

 antiquity to the present period. I have availed myself, 

 principally, of Mr. Youatt's standard and able work to 

 aid me in this department ; and also to him and Mr. 

 Bla'cklock, both distinguished Veterinary Surgeons, for 

 much of what is offered on the Diseases of Sheep ; and to 

 Mr. Spooner, the author of a recent English work, and 

 likewise a Veterinary Surgeon, for the interesting chapter 

 on the Structure, or Anatomy of the sheep. AU this neces- 

 sity compelled me to do, owing to the paucity of works in 

 American libraries relaltive to the history of the species, 

 and the very little progress as yet made among us in 

 scientific classification and treatment of diseases. Mr. 

 Youatt is probably the first veterinary surgeon of the age, 

 and is at present the editor of a London periodical devo- 

 ted to that science ; therefore, that part of this work con- 

 cerning Diseases is, undoubtedly, entitled to much confi- 

 dence ; in addition, my own observattions and experience, 

 together with all that I could gather from others, have 

 been added. 



It is many years that I have been a practical manager 

 of sheep, a vocation to which I am enthusiastically at- 

 tached. I acknowledge an affection for the sheep, para- 

 mount to that for any other domestic anime^l, and have 

 studied its instincts and habits at all seasons, and under 

 all circumstances ; and now and always have shared with 

 my laborers in every department connected with manage- 

 ment. What, therefore, is offered on this subject, is the 

 result almost solely of what my own eyes have seen, and 

 hands handled — indeed, is nearly a transcript of my sys- 

 tem of practice. Being aware, however, of the tenacity 

 with which farmers cling to their particular modes of 

 management, right or wrong, I entered into an extensive 

 correspondence with distinguished wool-growers, to aid me 

 in perfecting this department of the work, with a view to 

 confirm positions which are set forth, and strike a more 

 efiectual blow at errors. To my brother wool-growers, as 

 well as all others, who have so kindly aided me m my 



