428 APPENDIX. 



10 years probably 160. . I usually shear about 3 lbs. of wool per 

 head, and in the spring clip about 14 lbs. of tags from 100 sheep. 

 I much prefer washing in a stream of running water ; I think 

 this mode is easier for the washer, and there is less risk of injuring 

 the animal. Experienced and skilful shearers will sometimes 

 shear 30 per day, and do their work well; but those workmen 

 who manifest carelessness, or recklessness in regard to the com- 

 fort of sheep, should be immediately discharged. I think that 

 from seventy-five to one hundred is as many as should herd to- 

 gether in the winter season. The building for shelter should be 

 enclosed, with doors to open and shut, as circumstances may re- 

 quire, on the south side. I deem it of vital importance, that 

 sheep have easy access to water, during the winter season. If 

 the water is not convenient to the sheep-bam, and cannot be 

 brought there, then carry the bam to the water. Some assert 

 that sheep wiU live in winter if they can get snow ; this is true, 

 and it is equally true, more or less will die too. Many diseases 

 are induced by depriving sheep of water. 



After haying, I scrape my sheep-yards, and carry the manure 

 on to my meadows, before the rowen starts much ; in that way I 

 often double the qiiantity of hay, besides improving the quality. 

 [Mr. Brown made an experiment, which satisfied him, that nothing 

 is gained by feeding fine-wooled sheep grain, provided they are 

 well cared for during the whole year, and fed enough of the best 

 quality of hayj 



I think the Saxon sufficiently hardy to endure our hard winters 

 with that care and attention which may easily be given to all 

 dumb beasts in the domestic line, intrusted to reasonable and ra- 

 tional man. It is true that farmers sometimes, either by breed- 

 ing in-and-in, or by making an injudicious cross, will obtain an 

 unsightly, ill-shapen, narrow-chested animal, with weak vitals, 

 that will lie down and die at almos't any time. But I have not 

 lost over one per cent, annually, for the last ten years, and with 

 large flocks, properly managed, no greater loss will accrue. Suc- 

 cess must ever depend on good judgment and skill in management. 

 [Nothing more true.] 



My lambs usually drop in the field in pleasant weather ; but if 

 the weather is stormy or cold, the ewes are placed in the sheep- 

 fold. We usually raise 95 per cent, of lambs from mature ewes. 



The fine-wooled sheep are generally cultivated in this county 

 now; but there are some BakeweUs, Lincolns, . Cotswolds, and 

 a few of the beautiful South Downs ; there seems to be a prevail- 

 ing desire among farmers in this vicinity to get the pure Sax- 

 ons. [Mr. B. uses a tobacco decoction to destroy ticks ; his local- 

 ity is well adapted to sheep, diseases being very rare ; cures the 

 stretches by the use of castor oil ; land is worth, in his town, fi-om 

 45 to 50 dollars per acre.] 



