THE MANAGEMENT OF SHEEP ON THE FARM. 17 
FENCING. 
The lots and pastures upon a sheep farm require considerable 
fencing. Lack of adequate fences has been one factor in the decline 
of the sheep industry in many localities. A woven-wire fence is the 
cheapest and most satisfactory, all things considered. If it must be 
dog-proof the meshes should be close enough together to prevent the 
dogs passing through, and it should be at least 5 feet high, which is 
a desirable height for all outside fences. Care should be taken in 
putting up the fence to see that the wire is close enough to the ground 
Fic. 4—Convenient arrangement of sheep lots with sorting chute. 
to prevent dogs from crawling under it. For temporary cross fences 
there are a number manufactured from 32 to 42 inches high. A 
36-inch fence is very satisfactory and is used extensively. An advan- 
tage of wire fencing is that neither sheep nor dogs will jump it so 
readily. Barbed wire is undesirable, except at the top, because the 
sheep tear out their wool upon the barbs. 7 
HOUSING. 
It was formerly quite generally thought that the sheep’s wool 
afforded it all the protection necessary during the winter. If the 
fleece could be kept dry it probably would retain enough body heat 
to keep the sheep warm, but this is impossible without shelter. When 
7635°—13——3 
