600 
MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERT. 
The time when flies are most troublesome to sheep, is after 
shearing. Sheep that are fed on mountain-pasture are free 
from toe attacks of insects. 
WASHING. 
Preparatory to shearing it is necessary to cleanse the 
fleece. The best method of performing this operation is to 
rail off a portion of the river or pond, with a sloping 
opening at one end, by which the sheep are driven into 
the water, at a part so deep that they will be unable 
to cross without swimming. A cask loaded should be fixed 
so that the men may stand in it dry, with a plank or bridge 
leading to it, to wash the sheep, before allowing each indi¬ 
vidual to pass to the opposite side, where they can walk out 
by means of an inclined plane. Before they reach the 
man who washes them they should be well soaked in the 
water, so as to save time. When washing is over, the flock 
should be driven to a dry, clean pasture. Of course, dusty 
roads must be carefully avoided, until the animals have 
become fairly dried. The lambs do not require more than 
simply swimming through the water. 
SHEARING. 
June is the time when shearing commences. It requires 
considerable care and nicety to perform this operation with¬ 
out mangling the fleece, and leaving large patches of wool 
adhering to the backs of the animals. After sheep are 
shorn, they are liable to the attacks of different insects, 
such as ticks and gad-flies, &c. The former of these should 
be carefully picked off, and the skin smeared all over with 
the following composition 
Tar \ gallon, 
Train-oil ... 4 gallons, 
Spirit of turpentine . I pint; 
