CABE AND MANAGEMENT OF SHEEP 433 



Gather up the wool, as in illustration (Fig. 151). With a 

 little practice the task of shearing with a good machine will 

 be more easily accomplished than it is to explain. 



Tying the wool. — The fleece is rolled with the belly and loose 

 ends inside, the cut ends out. All very dirty pieces should be 

 removed and never tied up in the wool. Special wool twine 

 should be used to tie the fleece, as binder twine greatly injures 

 the wool, for small bits of the fiber often get into the fleece and, 

 not taking the dyes, must be picked out by hand. There is no 

 need of a wool-box for tying a compact bundle, as buyers prefer 

 the fleece loosely tied. 



For those who prefer the wool-box, a very convenient one is 

 made as follows : Secure five pieces of boards ; three, each one 

 foot square, the other two each three feet long and one foot wide. 

 Of the three pieces one is to serve as the bottom of the box, the 

 other two as the ends, and they should be hinged together ac- 

 cordingly. The other two boards are likewise hinged to the 

 bottom piece, so that when all are raised, they form a neat wool- 

 box. 



Later the wool is packed in large sacks for shipment. In filling 

 the large bags care should be exercised to see that the wool is 

 well packed and the corners all well filled. After being packed 

 full the bags are sewed at the top. If stored, the wool should be 

 put in a dry place where there is no danger of mice cutting the 

 bags and building nests of the wool. 



PRACTICAL SHEEP BARNS 



Proper shelter for the flock adds greatly to its comfort and 

 thrift. It need not, however, be either elaborate or costly. In 

 the sheep barn there are several factors that must be provided 

 for, but extra warmth not being one of the factors, the rest 

 is comparatively simple and inexpensive. Chief among the 

 factors for which provision must be made are ventilation with- 

 out draughts, sunshine, drainage, convenience for feeding, ar- 

 2f 



