SHEEP HUSBANDRY IN SPAIN. 
SHEEP HUSBANDRY IN SPAIN—No. 2. 
The fine-wooled flocks of Spain, in the language 
of that country, are called “ Trashumantes,” or tra¬ 
velling sheep, in contradistinction to the “Estantes,” 
or those which are stationary. The former, it will 
be recollected, migrate every spring from the warm 
plains and valleys of the south, to the cool, moun¬ 
tainous regions of the north, where they pass the 
summer, and return again in autumn to pass the 
winter below. It is obvious that migrations of so 
frequent occurrence, and to so great an extent, would 
necessarily require some fixed regulations. Hence a 
great number of ordinances, penal laws, privileges 
and immunities were enacted or set forth in different 
reigns, for the preservation and special government 
of these sheep ; and hence the origin of the ruinous 
privileges of the “ Mesta.” This was an association 
of proprietors of large flocks, consisting of rich reli¬ 
gious communities, grandees of Spain, and opulent 
individuals with hereditary rights, who fed their 
sheep at public expense, during every season of the 
year, which eventually gave rise to a custom first 
established by necessity. The mountains of Saria 
and Segovia, condemned to sterility by the climate, 
soil, and the steepness of their sides, "were formerly 
the asylum of some neighboring flocks. At the ap¬ 
proach of winter the place was no longer tenable. 
The sheep sought, in the neighboring plains, more 
temperate air Their masters soon changed this per 
mission into a right, and united themselves into an 
associat.on, which in time became augmented by the 
addition of others, who, having obtained flocks, were 
desirous of enjoying the same privileges. The thea¬ 
tre vras extended in proportion as the actors became 
more numerous; and, by degrees, the periodical ex¬ 
cursions of the flocks were extended to the plains of 
Estremadura, where the climate was more temperate 
and pasturage plenty.* 
The Mesta requires the parts of the country where 
the sheep are pastured to be set off in divisions, sepa¬ 
rated from each other only by landmarks—fences, or 
other kinds of enclosure, being deemed unnecessary, 
as the flocks are constantly attended by shepherds 
and dogs. Each of these divisions is called a “ De- 
hesa,” and must be of a size capable of maintaining 
about one thousand sheep in the grazing stations of 
the north, and a greater number in those of the south 
where the lambs are yeaned and reared. Every pro¬ 
prietor must possess as many dehesas in each pro¬ 
vince as will maintain his flock, which, in the aggre¬ 
gate, is called a “ Cavafla,” and is divided into as 
many subdivisions or tribes, as there are thousands 
of sheep contained in it. Each cavana is governed 
by an officer called “ Mayoral,” or chief-shepherd. 
For each subdivision of a thousand sheep, there is 
allowed five under-shepherds and five dogs. The 
chief shepherd is required to be the owner of four or 
five hundred sheep, must be strong, active, vigilant, 
intelligent, and well skilled in everything that relates 
to his flock. He has absolute control over fifty 
shepherds and as many dogs, whom he chooses, 
chastises, or discharges at will. Some of the infe¬ 
rior shepherds assume the title of “ Rabadan” or 
Zagal,” whose duty it is to exercise a general su- 
pevfntendance over his tribe under the direction of 
the Mayoral—also to prescribe and administer medi- 
* Bourgoanne. Travels m Spain, Vol. I, p. 39. 
cines to the sick and maimed. At the period of tra¬ 
velling, and when the ewes are giving birth to their 
young, two or more extra hands are allowed to every 
tribe; and in time of shearing, one hundred and 
twenty-five shearers are required to a flock of ten 
thousand sheep. 
Of the propriety of law and order in conducting 
these flocks, there can be no doubt; but great excep¬ 
tion is made to several enactments in force, and a 
continued struggle has long existed between the com¬ 
pany of the Mesta, on one part, and the lovers of 
public good, on the other. No land that has once 
been occupied for grazing, can be tilled before it is 
offered to the Mesta at a certain rate. Long, green 
roads, leading from one district to another, at least 
two hundred and fifty feet wide, are required to be 
kept open, as well as extensive resting-places, where 
the sheep are fed and sheared. So rigid is the law 
on this point, that, during the periods of migration, 
no person, not even a foot-passenger, is allowed to 
travel on these roads, unless he belongs to a flock. 
These passages must unavoidably cross many culti¬ 
vated spots, such as corn-fields, vineyards, olive- 
orchards, and pasture-lands common to towns, the 
evils and inconveniences of which are obvious and 
need no comment. All questions and difficulties be¬ 
tween the shepherds and the occupants of the lands 
through which the roads are suffered to pass, are de¬ 
cided by special courts, that perform a kind of cir¬ 
cuit, and sit at stated periods to hear and decide 
The salary of the chief-shepherd does not exceed 
two hundred dollars a year and a horse ; that of the 
first under-shepherd of a tribe, ten dollars a year; the 
second, seven dollars; the third, five; the fourth, 
three ; and the fifth, a boy, two dollars a year. The 
ration of each is two pounds of bread a day, with 
the privilege of keeping a few goats in the flock for 
their milk. They are also entitled to the skins and 
carcasses of the culled sheep and lambs, and each re¬ 
ceives from the chief-shepherd, a “regalito” of three- 
fourths of a dollar in April and in October; and these 
are all the sweets that these poor wretches enjoy, 
with the exception of about a month in a year, which 
each takes in his turn, to visit his family or friends. 
They are exposed the rest of the time to all the vicis¬ 
situdes of the weather, and at night have to lie in 
miserable huts formed of stakes, brambles, or branch¬ 
es of trees, and often sleep, as they term it, de abaxo 
las estrdlas, under the stars. 
The dogs are generally black and white, of the 
size of a wolf, with a large head, thick neck, and are 
somewhat allied to the mastiff'breed. They are allow¬ 
ed two pounds of bread each a day, and as much milk 
and flesh as can conveniently he spared. They are so 
fierce and strong that no wolf can resist their attacks, 
and to render them doubly secure, their necks are 
often fortified with heavy collars armed with sharp¬ 
ened spikes. The hear, however, is a more power¬ 
ful enemy, and if he can reach a tree he is compara¬ 
tively safe. It is said, he raises himself on his hind 
legs with his hack to the tree, and sets the dogs at 
defiance. In the night-time, the shepherds sometimes 
keep off the bears by whirling fire-brands in the air, 
but they generally rely on the vigilance of the dogs, 
which rarely bark unless an enemy is at hand. The 
dogs are also taught to guard the sheep on the road, 
and to prevent the mingling of different tribes. 
Should a sick or wearied sheep lag behind on the 
