THE MANAGEMENT OF SHEEP ON THE FARM. A] 
SHEARING AND CARE OF THE WOOL. 
Flocks are shorn in some parts of the United States during aimost 
every month of the year. From Texas to Montana there is a range 
of six months in the time of shearmg. In Texas and California the 
flocks are shorn twice a year, spring and fall. By this practice it 
is claimed a pound more of wool per sheep is obtamed. However, | 
the staple is not so valuable because of its shorter length. 
Most farm flocks are shorn during April and May. The time of 
shearing will vary with the locality, season, shelter available, etc. 
Shearing should not take place too early or the sheep will suffer from 
the cold, and it should not be delayed too long or they will be affected 
by the heat. In the latter case they lose flesh and shed their wool. 
The Michigan station! found that early shearing (during April) 
gave heavier average fleeces with greater strength of fiber. Where 
early shearing is practiced, suitable shelter should be provided until 
the sheep become accustomed to the change. As mentioned under 
‘Shearing breeding ewes,” the flock should be shorn before being 
turned out to pasture. 
In former years it was common to wash sheep before shearing, but 
this is seldom practiced at the present time. Sheep should never be 
shorn when the fleece is damp. There is danger of deterioration in 
quality when damp wool is stored. 
MACHINE COMPARED WITH HAND SHEARING. 
Machine shearing is gradually taking the place of hand shearing, 
especially in the larger flocks. One can learn to shear much faster, 
the work is easier, more sheep can be shorn in a day, more wool 
secured, and a smoother and neater job can be done with a machine. 
The sheep are not cut so often nor so severely, and ‘‘second cuts”’ of 
the wool are not so frequent as with hand shears. However, shearing 
with a machine is objectionable either early or late in the season 
because the wool is shorn so closely. 
A clean place should be provided for shearmg. Every possible 
precaution should be taken to keep all foreign material out of the 
wool. If a smooth, clean floor is not available, a temporary plat- 
form should be built. In shearing by hand many shearers prefer to 
use a bench about 18 inches high. The principal objection to this is 
that it is necessary to lift the sheep upon it. The sheep should be 
confined near the place of shearing to lessen the amount of work in 
handling them. 
With the ordinary farm flock a hand machine is commonly used, 
but power machines are advisable where the size of the flock will 
warrant it. A sufficient number of combs and cutters should be kept 
on hand to cover breakage and prevent delay in shearing. 
1 Experiment Station of the Michigan Agricu.tural College, Bulletin 178, East Lansing, 1900. 
