140 Sheep Manageinent, Breeds and Judging. 



is not supplied the digestion of the sheep will be 

 impaired and serious consequences will follow. 

 Sheep crave salt, and when it is given to them only 

 once in a while they will usually eat too much at 

 one time. They will then drink excessive amounts 

 of water, which will upset the digestive organs 

 and often cause severe scouring. If salt is sup- 

 plied in abundance at all times, at no time will 

 the sheep consume an excessive amount. There- 

 fore, if all is to go well in the flock, one must not 

 fail to provide salt every day of the year. 



KEEP DOWN BURDOCKS AND SANDBURS. 



Burdocks and sandburs are bitter enemies to the 

 watchful flockmaster. When he notices that some 

 of the sheep have collected any of these mean burs, 

 he becomes alarmed, knowing that the appear- 

 ance of his flock is mucli injured. But this is not 

 all. He also realizes that the value of the wool is 

 lessened when it comes to selling it, since buyers 

 greatly object to wool in such a condition. Again, 

 suppose the sheplierd wants to show some of his 

 sheep at the county fair. Can he do it when their 

 fleeces are matted together witli these burs? He 

 may show them but they will not win any prizes, 

 as the fleeces of prize winners must be in good, 

 clean condition. The judge will not injure his 

 hands on such sheep by handling them, instead Iil 



