192 FENCES — SALT. 



Fences. — It does not require a fence of more than very 

 ordinary height, if it is kept constantly in repair, for the 

 Merino or for the improved English hreeds of sheep. But if 

 portions of it are suifered to get partly down, and the flock pass 

 over these low portions a few times, some of the more restless 

 ones learn to be constantly on the look-out for such opportuni- 

 ties to escape ; and they wiU gradually leap higher and higher, 

 until they are ready to scale any ordinary fence that lies in 

 their way. Therefore, the fences of sheep pastures ought in 

 all cases to be thoroughly repaired before turning out flocks 

 in the spring; and they should be frequently examined 

 through the season, particularly after heavy winds. 



If sheep are to be driven through an opening in the fence, 

 that opening should be extended to the ground — so as never 

 unnecessarily to make them acquainted with the fact that 

 they can even leap over two rails. One "breachy" sheep 

 will rapidly teach its habits to the whole flock ; and it 

 ought to be considered a fraud to sell one, without giving 

 notice of its vice. Such a sheep should not be tolerated in 

 an "orderly" flock, for a single day. 



Stone walls unless very high and smooth, or unless 

 surmounted by rough coping stones, set up on edge, do not 

 turn sheep as well as rail or board fences. Sloping sod fences 

 are still worse. In new cleared countries, where inclosures 

 are very imperfectly made with brush, logs, etc., poorly kept 

 sheep sometimes acquire a habit, almost equal to that of 

 swine, of crawling through every opening. 



Salt. — Salt is admitted by all to be necessary for the 

 health of sheep. It may be kept in the fields, under cover, 

 where they can have constant access to it : or as much as they 

 will eat may be fed to them once a week on the grass. It is 

 common to throw it in handfuUs on mossy knolls, on tufts of 

 coarse grass not eaten down by sheep, on new sprouting bull 

 thistles, or around the roots of Canada thistles, or other 

 weeds ^- so that it shall call in the aid of the sheep to 

 extirpate vegetable enemies, and so that, if any of it is left, it 



his head that he standg^ confused, not daring to open his eyes. If he retreats he 

 should be pursued, and if recently shorn, whipped over the back as he runs, until 

 thoroughly cowed. If he makes his attack on a person not prepared with whips, a 

 lew rapid and hearty kicks in the face will generally settle the contest. If he charges, 

 the assailed person should stand firm until he is close upon him and then be should 

 spring suddenly aside, and as the ram rushes past dash in upon him and so punish 

 him that he will have no desire to renew the onset. If after one sound beating he is 

 not quelled permanently, or for a considerable period, resort should at once be had to 

 the knife or the blind. 



