138 FINE WOOL SWEEP MUSBANDRY. 
would be highly onerous. The early shearing, too, 
causes much additional labor in protecting the sheep 
from the cold spring weather. It is not seriously 
claimed that either of these practices benefit the 
sheep* or add to their product of cleansed wool. If 
all flock masters were to adopt them they would not 
even help the interests of the seller. 
Without wishing to attach any censure to such 
honorable persons who now employ these modes of 
fitting their sheep for sale, as avow them to ald persons 
wishing to purchase, whether questioned on the subject 
or not, I may be permitted to express the hope that 
such a purely unnecessary waste of labor and capital 
may not become customary throughout the thorough- 
bred flocks of our country. 
I should not satisfy my convictions of duty if I did 
not utter my earnest protest in this connection against 
another practice introduced, and to some extent keep- 
ing pace with the preceding ones—that of over-feeding 
sheep not intended for slaughter. A portion of those 
people who shelter their flocks in the summer and 
autumn, commence giving them grain at the same 
time; and the only limits to their feeding in winter 
are the appetite of the animal, and the necessary care 
for its immediate safety. Very high condition not 
only adds to the size, roundness, apparent compact- 
* In some places housing is necessary against dogs; but in that 
case they should be housed all the year 
Some claim that the early sheared sheep winter better; but five 
months’ growth of wool before December ought to be quite sufficient 
for the protection of heavy fleeced and winter-housed sheep. Others 
claim that early sheared sheep “ coat over” better (grow darker col- 
ored with yolk); and thisis probably true At all events they become 
dark colored earlier in the season. 
