DRIFTING SNOW. 
597 
and it will be universally acknowledged, that those which 
are protected from storms and much wet always thrive the 
best. Therefore, on all sheep farms sheds or other shelter 
should be provided for the animals in case of need. 
DRIFTING SNOW. 
In all mountainous countries sheep are liable to be over¬ 
taken by sudden falls of snow, and few situations afford 
natural shelter. Therefore large circular enclosures should 
be constructed of turf or stone, into which the sheep should 
be driven on the approach of snow. These should generally 
be on the south or west sides of the hill, as snow-storms 
usually proceed from the north or east. This should al¬ 
ways be situated on dry ground, and advantage taken of any 
natural shelter, such as an elevated rock, or side of a ravine 
The walls of turf enclosures should be four feet thick at the 
base, and two feet at top, and the height not less than six 
feet. There should be two or three openings in each, and 
these always on the south side. The spot on which they are 
situated should be on a slightly inclined plane ; and drains 
should be properly constructed, so as to carry off the rain or 
melted snow ; these should pass through holes in the walls, 
and be received in a large drain outside. 
When sheep have been driven a few times into these en¬ 
closures, they will go into them of their own accord, on the 
approach of a storm, or even during indifferent weather. 
Consequently, such enclosures are of much advantage to 
a shepherd, as he will be certain that his sheep will be 
safe in them, when a snow-storm has taken place, without 
the danger to which he is liable, in attending to them 
personally. 
Besides these enclosures, it has been found that strips and 
clumps of Scotch fir-trees are of much utility as shelter for 
