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E S S AY

S H E E P;
TH E IR V A R I E T I E S —A C C O U N T O F T HE
M E R I N O ES O F S P A I N , FR A N C E , 8 m.

RE FLEC T IONS ON T H E B E ST ME T H OD T RE A T I NG T REM

OF ,

STAT S : (/
’ / ’
'
’
AND R AI S I N G A FL O C K I N T HE UNI T E D E I f

T OGE T H E R W I T H

M IS C E L L A N E O U S R E M A R KS

SH EE P A ND W O O L L E N M A N U FA C T U RE S .

B Y RO B E RT R L I V ING S T ON , LL D ; . .

P r e s i de n t of th e S o c i ety f o r t h e P r om oti o n o f U s ef u lA rts , Me m b er of th e

Am eri c a n P h il os o i c al S o ci et y A i S P r es i d e nt o f th e m er c an o c i ety

b f h Ag i l l
,

of Fi n e A C rt s , o rr e s p di g M
on n em er o t e r cu t ur a
S i y f h
o c et o t e Si He n e, yM b f h o n or a r em er o t e
Ag i l r cu tu r a l S i y f D h C ty
o c et o ut c es s ou n .

F rizzte d by Order f
o the L egi s la tu re o
f the S ta te f
o N ew York - .

NE W - Y OR K

P RI NT ED B Y T . AND J S VVORD S , .

N o 1 60 P ea rl S treet
.
-
.
S tate Of NeW YOPk ‘
o

I n S ena te, fil a rclz 3 d, 1 8 0 9 .

W H E RE AS th e Hon o r l
u ab e R o B E RT R L I V . I N GST ON

h as la id be fr o e th e S o c iety fo r the P ro m o t io n of Us e fl
u

A rts , at m an us c ript Tr e a tis e On Shee p , whic h th e S oc ie ty

j ud e
g em in e n tly l l
ca c u a te d to diff u s e gene a in o m atio n rl fr
as to th e be s t m o de of r a is in
g a n d m an a in
g g th e M e ri n o

b re ed of S h ee p , f ro m p
h is O w n e x e rie n c e , a n d fr om th e
be s t r
t e a t i s e s on th at s u bj ec t ; a n d Wh e re a s , i n t h e i i
o p n on

o f t h e s ai d S o c iety, r l r l i t r st
th e a g ic u tu a n e e of this S tate
l
w o u d be g r tly pr
ea o m ote d by th e prin ti g n r l
a n d c i c u at in
g
th e s a id m an u s c ript
T her ef or e R es elaed, ( if th e H on o u r bla e th e As s em bly
c on c ur h r i ) Th t e e n tho a d op i s a f th a id m
on e u us n c e o e s an

sc ript b pri t d ie h a
n e r th id S i ty h all
n s uc m nne as e sa oc e s

dir t d th t th y be distr ibu ted i th

e c , an a e a m r as n e s m e a nn e
'

th eL w a d J ur l
s an r by law dir t d t b di t i
o na s a e ec e o e s r

b t d nd th a t
u e ,
a h b r o f th
e ac id S o i ty h all l o
m em e e sa c e s a s

b titl d t
e en e py ; d that th r i i g pi h all
o on e c o an e em a n n co es s

b t th di p
e a el of th aid S i ty ; d th t th L gi
s osa e s oc e an a e e s

l at u rew ill by l w m ak e provi i a f r th pri t i g o f th e s on o e n n

s aid m a u r ipt n sc .

By order o f th e S ena te .

S . V I S S C H E R , Clerc .

I n As s em bly, Ma rch 7 th , 1 8 0 9 .

R es olved, Th at th is Ho u s e do c on cu r w ith th e H on o u r
l
a b e th e S en ate i n th e i r pr ece din g r l
e s o ution .

By order o f th e As s em ely .

D . R O D M A N , Clerk .
Copy f
o a Res oluti on th e P rom otion o f

R es olved, Th at th e V ice P re s iden t be

-
r e
qu es te d to t an s r
m it to th e Ho n o u ra bl e R O B E R T R L I V . I N G S T O N, E sq . th e

c on cu rr en t r l i
e s o ut o n s of th e S e n a te and A s s e m blv fo r
p ub li g hi
s h in
s Tr ti ea se on Sh ee p ,
an d r e
qu es t h im to s u

p e rin ten d th e p bl i ti
u ca on r
th e eo f by s u ch r
P in te r as he
s ha ll c h oo se ; an d th a t b e d ire c t fiv e h u n dre d co pi es , in
a dditio n to t h o s e o rde e d r by th e l
res o ution s
, to b e p u b
lis h e d fo r th e So c iety .

A t rue c opy .

JA M E S L O W,
S ec retar
y .

Albany, March 8 th, 1 8 0 9 .

 P R E FA C E .

T HE h p o e of ac q u iri g u h i f r
n s c n o m ation in agric ul .

tu r d th
e an e arts a s w u l d b u fu l t
o e se o m y fe ll o c itiw
z en s , w as n o t on e o f m y sm a ll es t m o ti e s v f o r a c c ep t
in g a fo re ign m is s io n . W ith o ut s ee in g E ur p o e it w as
im p o s s ible j u s tly to e s tim ate r v llers r
th e a s s e tion o f t a e

relative to th e arts an d agr ic u ltu re of th at in tere s tin g

c o u n try to dis tin gu i s h th e tr u th s f ro m
,
th e fal s eh o o ds

c o n ta in e d in th e in fi n ity o f b o o k s th at tre at o f th o s e

s u bj ec ts o r to a dapt th e ir p rec e p ts to th e s o il c l im ate

, , ,

an d h ab its o f th e Un ite d S tate s An d it is n o s m all

.

s o u r c e o f hap p in e s s to m e to b e l ie v e th at h o we v e r m y
,

p ubl ic s erv ic e m ay b e app re c iated m y p u rs u its in ,

w h at m ay b e th o u gh t a m o re h u m b le l in e are n o t al ,

to geth e r u s e l e s s .

H a v i ng u rge d m y fe ll ow c iti z en s to give s o m e at

ten tio n to th e fin e ar ts , a nd p o in te d o ut th e ea s ie s t

m e an s o f do in g it, I s ee , w ith pleas u re ,

o th e r p op u
lo u s c ities in m y v
nati e c o u try f ll wi
n o o ng th e e am x
6 PRE FAC E .

p le s et th em ( u p on m y su gg ti es on ) yb N e w Y o rk , in -

th e e s ta b l is h m en t of ac adem ic s fo r th e fin e ar ts My .

am wvr l d
b itio n , h o e e ,
ea s m e to ren de r m ys e lf m o e r
ex t iv ly u ful by u gg
en s e se ,
s es tin g an d e nf o c in g s r u ch

i pr
m t i r i
o v e m en s
g l t ur n a cu e a s m ay add to th e w eal th

of i div idu l
n d by f r a s, an ,
o m in g th e b as is Of m an u
f tu r
ac t th i d p d
es , o e n e en en c e o f o ur c o u try n . My
occ up i i P i k pt m
at o n s n ar s e e fr o m ll
c o e c tin g all th e

i n fo rm a tio n o n th a t s ub ect j w h ic h I c ou ld h a ve wish ~

ed; y e t s om e th in gs I h a ve n o te d in th e u tr i I co n es

h a v e h as tily V is ite d, wh i h I t u c ,
r s t, m a y u r i h u fu l
f n s se

h in ts , an d lea d to u fu l x p r i
se e e m en ts . Am on g o th e r
Obj ec ts m y atten tion w a s fo rc ib l y attrac ted to on e that
,

at p re se n t o c c u p ie s n o t o n l y th e a gr ic u l tu ral is ts bu t ,

th e s ta te s m en o f E u rope It w a s l o n g th o u gh t th at
.

th e Mer in o s h eep c o u ld o n l y b e ra is e d adv an tage o u s l y

in S p a in an d that t h eir m igration w a s ne c es s ary to

,
.

th e p e rfe c tio n o f th e ir wo o l Under th e influen c e Of .

th is o pi n io n , th e res t of E ur op e s ub m itted to b e tri

b u tarie s o f Sp a in fo r thi s p rec io u s c o m m odity ; an d

so s o l w i th s e p ro gre s s o f ag ric ul tu ral im p ro vem en ts ,

th at th u gh
o an en l ighten ed Sw e dis h n ob em an n at l u
ral ised th em e igh ty y ears ago , in a co u n try l ittl e c on

gen ia l r n ativ e h ab its yet it w a s l ong b efo re

to th e i ,

h is s u c c e s s fu l e x p er im en ts e x c ited p u blic atten tion .

F ran c e after s o m e ab o rtive attem pts s u c c eeded s o

, ,

f u ll y a s to o p en th e ey e s o f th e n e ighb o u r ing n atio n s .

I s aw an d adm ired h er b ea u tifu l Hook s ; an d th e in «

q u i rie s I h a d th e m ean s o f m a k i n g o f i n te ll ige n t m en

f ro m diffe ren t p art s o f E u r o p e c on v in c e d m e th at , ,

in s tead o f degen e ratin g th ey h a d i m p ro v ed in e very

,

region to wh ic h they h ad b een tran s po rted K n owing .

 PREFAC E . 7

the Un ited State s tob p ul i rly

e ec a ada pted to s h ort
w lloo ed s h ee p I , wa s e age r to p u t them in p os s e s s i on
of th is u bl t k A d I h ll t vy th
in v al a e s oc . n s a no en e

l
g y o r f th
o A r g u t
e ( wh ich p r b b l y i t
on a
d i s o a c on s s e n

b ri gi g th fi w l l d M ingr l i
n n e ne h p i t Groo ) e e an s ee n o eec e

if I c anu fu lly p l t th M i
s c c e ss f S p i in an e er n oe s o a n

m y tiv l
na d e an .

It u f rtu t l y
n o h pp na e d th t d ri g th gr t r
so a en e ,
a u n e ea e

p rt f y i i
a o m u b r f y f ll w iti
m s s on , a n m e o m e o c z en s

w r e e s u it r t P i f d bt unj u tly w ith h ld ; f

o s a ar s or e s s e or

re el i f fr barr s
om t i t wh i h th p rp l x d
em a s m en s n o c e e e e

an d v r v r yi g l w
e e - a f tr d n d i t ay i s o a e , an n oo m an n

t
s an c e s th ir w i p u d e o i v lv d th n mA f w r en c e , n o e em . S e

d y p t i whi h I h d
a s as n t i th r j u ti c f v ur a no e e s c e or a o s

to as k f th r
or o I th u ght it im p r p r t
e s, k th l t o o e o as e a

ter fo r m y s e lf ,
b u t h op ed to attain m y Obj e c t ( m o re
gra du al in deed) , by s el ec tin g tw o p a ir of th e
ly fi nes t
u
Merino e s I c o ld fin d, an d s en din g th em o v e r un de r
th e r
c a e of one of m y o wn s e rvan ts ; b el ie v in g th at so

s m al l a s h ipm e n t wou l d n ot be n o ticed an d in ten din g ,

to fo ll o w th em by oth e r s They arr ived in safety in .

th e s p r in g o f 1 8 02 an d we re I b el ie v e th e firs t c o u pl e s
, , ,

e v e r im p o rted in to th e Un ited State s .

I bec am e l e ss .

an x io u s on the s u bj e c t b ec a u s e I h a d th e s atis fac t io n

.
,

to learn th at C o l H u m phrey s ha d s u c c ee de d s o m e
.
,

tim e afte rw a r ds in in tro du c in g a m u c h gre ate r n u m

,

ber direc t f ro m S p ain s o tha t I b el ie v e d a fo u n da

, ,
-f

tio n w as l a id fo r th e ir p e r fe c t e s tab l is h m e n t Afte r .

m y r etu rn f ro m Italy b ein g n o l on ger in Offic e I , ,

o b ta in e d p erm i s s i o n to s h ip o th er s tha t M r C h ap tal .

a ll owe d m e to s el e c t o u t o f th e h igh e s t b red fl o c k in

Fran c e A variety Of c irc u m stan c es h ave hitherto

.
 '

8 P RE FAC E .

p re v ented Ill h av e the hop e o f

‘
‘

th ei r ar rival ; bu t
“

s ti

s e ein g th e m h ere , w ith th e ir in c r ea s e s in c e I p u r

c h as e d.

I was i
a s to n s h e wh I f u d u p
d en y r tu r i o n on m e n, n

1 8 0 5 , th at th e i tr du ti f M r Sh p h d
’

n o c on o e i no ee a ex

c ite d l ittle a tten ti

on ; d th t l th u gh th L gi l tu r
an a a o e e s a e

of C o n n e c tic ut h
v ery p rop erly n otic ed th e patriotic
ad

e x e rtion s o f C ol H u m p h r e y s n o n e o f h is s h ee p h a d
.
,

b een s o l d in th is S ta te I h a d a l s o th e t ifi t io n to
“

. m or ca

fin d th at n otw ith s tan din g m y inj u n c tion s m in e had

, ,

b een m u c h l es s e x ten ded than I e x p ec ted Nay I .

,

learn ed with s u rp ris e th at a fl o c k wh ic h c o ns is ted o f

,

n ear on e h u n dred of o ne h al f a n d thr ee fo u rth s b ree d

- -

Merin Oes fro m a ram s en t o v er by M D eles s ert to

,
.

h is fa rm at Ro s en dal e n ear K in gs to n h ad b een s o l d

, ,

at v en du e at a p r ic e in fe r io r to th at o f c o m m on s h eep ,
»

an d th at a b o v e o n e h al f o f th e m h ad p e r is h e d fro m
n e gle c f th e fo ll o win g win te r Su c h is c o m m on ly th e .

c a s e w h en n o v e l tie s are in tr o du c e d in a gr ic u l tu r e till ,

th e m in d o f th e h u s b an dm an is p rep a red fo r th e ir re

c ep tion I k n ew th e im p o rtan c e o f th e Obj e c t an d I

.
,

res o lved to l eav e n o m ean s un es s ayed to c o n v in c e m y

fell o w c iti z en s Of it I b egan by p u rc h a s in g al l I
.

c o u l d fin d o f th e s c atte re d rem n an t Of M D e le s s ert s

’
.

floc k I p ic k ed u p twen ty fo u r ewe s an d th e p ric e

. -
,

I p ai d fo r th em attra c ted the n o tic e Of tho s e w h o had

s e en an d n e gl e c ted th em .

In 1 8 0 6 I s ub m itted to th e S oc iety Of U s efu l Arts

tw o e s s ay s o n th e s u bj e c t o f Me r in o s h ee p T h ey .

we re rec e ived with a degree Of atten tion wh ic h e x

c eeded m y h op e s T h e en l igh ten ed far m e r s we re
.

awak en e d to the s u bj e c t a n d th e L e is l atu re s te pp e d

g ,
 “
PRE FAC E
‘

. b

fo rward and s ec on ded th e i r ard our by j u dic iou s en

c o u rage m en ts .

Nu m ber s llo w c itiz en s are n ow en deav ou r

of m y fe .

in g to s u p p l y th em s e lve s with th is i n va l u ab le s to c k ;
a n d m an y w h o h a d n e v e r giv e n the l eas t atte n tion to

s h e ep are e x ten din g the ir c are to Mer in o fl o c k s

, .

F in din g m y s elf frequ ently c a l led up on for in form a

tio n an d b e in g a n x io u s to c o m m u n ic ate all th at m y
,

e x p e r ie c e
n q i r i e
o r Ins h a
u d t a u gh t m u po th e s u b
e n

j c et a s well a s to k eep al iv e th e in teres t that I h ad

,

h app ily e x c ited in m y fe l lo w c iti z en s I b el ie v ed ,

th at b oth m igh t b e e ffe c ted b y th e p u b l ic atio n o f a

l ittle v o lu m e wh ic h s h o u l d in s om e s o rt c o m b in e in
fo r m ation with am u s e m en t an d tak en in c o n n e c tion
, ,

with wh at I h ad before w r itten s erve as a k in d of ,

S h e p h e rd s M ’

"
an u al an d p o in t o u t to th e r ic h an d th e
,

p o o r farm e r th e ea s i es t m ean s o f c on v ertin g their

flo c k s in to Merin o es , a s we ll a s the advan ta ge th at
w o u l d a c c r u e b oth to th em s elv es a n d th e ir c o u n try by
th e c h an ge I h av e en deav o u re d in th e e x ec ution of
.
,

th is w o rk to r en der th e s tyl e a
,
s s im p l e as th e s u bj e c t

o f wh ic h it tr eat s ; to s k etc h th e n atu ral h is to ry o f

s h e e p in th at rap id m an n e r wh ic h wo u l d s erv e to

s at is fy a p l a in far m e r with o ut s well in g the work w ith

,

dis qu is itio n s a dap ted to th e ta s te o f th e e x p erien c ed

n atu ra l is t I am e x trem ely flattered b y th e atten tion
.

th e L egis l atu re an d th e S o c iety Of U s efu l Arts h a v e

s h own it in deem in g it s u ffic ien tl y im p o rtan t to b e

,

p r in ted at the p ub l ic e x p en s e Sho uld it c o n trib ute.

to th e e x te n s io n o f th e Me r in o s h eep to the m utu al ,

a dv a ntage o f th e a gr ic u l tu ral is t an d th e m a n u fa c tu re r ,

it will be v ery c o n s ol in g to m e to b el ieve after ha v in g ,

2
10 P RE FAC E .

de v oted the p rim e of m y l ife to p r om o te th e p olitical

i nte re s t of m y co u try
n ,
th a t its de c l in e is n o t ab s o

lu tely u l s e es s ; an d th at th os e wh f th r h v
o se a e s a e s h ar

ed in th e la bours of m y y o uth will r iv

,
ec e e s om e ad

vantage from th e a m us em en ts o f m y a ge .
 E S S AY ON S H E E P .

T HE R E a re fe w s tu r lly a m us
d ie s m o re ge n e a

i n g th a n th o s e wh ich r e l a te to n a tu ra l h is to r y ,

or r a th e r to t h a t bran ch o f it wh ic h co m p r is e s
th e h istory f a im a ls o it is su ffici tly simpl e
n en

to b e e mbr ac e d by th e u n tutor d mi d d e n , an

y et c
so mp e h e siv e a s to
o r mploy th f a culti e s
n e e

o f th e most e l e v a t e d T h first will b e t e r . e e n

ta i e d by th e
n or e obvi us c h a ra ct r s f th e
m o e o

ani a l h e co sid e rs by its i

m n oc c o r its f , nn en e e

ro c it
y by its
, m a e rs its h a bits a d th e i
nn , , n n

sti c t w h i h l ea d it to provid
n s c f its w a ts e or n

a d th os e o f its o ff sp r i g
n A r pro fou d n . m o e n

ph ilosoph r will c a r r y h is vi ews f urth e r ; h e

e

will a a lyz e th e r e a so or th e i n ti cts f th e

n n s n o

a ni al m will e x a i n e th e i t r l st r ctu re
, m n e na u ,

a d will a d
n ir e th wo d e r f ul h a r o y th a t
m e n m n

e xists i th e s e ve r a l p a rts f h i b dy a d th e
n o s o , n

a l gy t h t is fou d b twe th s e d its

na o a n e en e an

m an ne r f li f H will be i s e sibly l d fr
o e . e n n e om

th exa
e i tio o f th c rea tu r to a c t m
m na n e e on e

p l a tio n o f th Cr ea tor ; a d will a ck

e wl e dg e n no
12 E ss ay on Sheep .

h is wisdom a n d h is good n e ss i h a vi g ex a ctly

, , n n

a d a pt e d th e corpo r l d ta l fa cul ti e s
ea f an m en o

e v e ry a n im l toth st a tio h h a b een pl e a s e d

a e n e s

t a
o g it i th sc a l e o f b e i n gs
ssi n n e .

W h il e th e prid e f m a is h umbl e d by th e o n

re fl e c tio th a t th e most p ro fou d works f a rt

n, n o

ar e but fe e bl i i t ti s f a tu r h e wil l
e m a on o n e,

d ri v s m c
e e o l ti f r
e th
o n so a id r a ti n
on o m e c ons e o ,

t h t God h a co d e sc e d e d i som e sort t e n

a s n n n o r

d h im h i a g e n t a n d to gi v e h im e xt e siv e
er s , n

p owe rs ov r th e a n m l a d v e g e t a bl e cre a tio n ;

e i a n

n ot l y i subj e cti g th e m to h is c n trol b u t

on n n o ,

e ve i e n a bl i g h i
n n t h i c e rt a i li i ts
n m , n n m ,

to c h n ge a d lt r t h e ir ature s o a s b e tt e r
a n a e n ,
s

t a d a p t th e m t h i o w
o u e o wit h out s u bj e ct
s n s ,
-v

i g th
n tem fa to h s whims
oo r T h e v a rious i .

S p ci e s
e f gr a i a d f r u it t h a t m a k e h is food
o n n ,

a e
r no wh e r to b e f u d wild bu t h a v b ee n
e o n , e

b r ough t to th e i r pre t st a t f p e r fe ctio b y s en e o n

th c r e a d cul tiv a tio n f

e a n a o m n .

T h flow e rs th t bloom i
e th e d e s e rt ( with
a n

xc e ptio s ) a e s ll a d p le fo r
'

v e y fe w
r e n r m a n a ,

th e m st p art si gl e a d b u t sl igh tl y fr g ra n t
o n , n a

t th e cul tu r
o f a t h e y w th e i r b r illi t
e o m n o e an

a d va r i d
n c l ur t h e i r r ic h p r o fu io
e o o s, f s n o

p ta ls a d th e i r h igh a d g r a t e fu l fr gra c e
e , n n a n .

D om e tic bi r d a d b
s ts c h s g n d v ry t h e ir
eas an e an a

colours e ith e r to g ra ti fy h is fa n cy or to a ff ord ,

 E ssay on 13

h im tura l m a rks by w h ic h to d esig n a t h i

na e s

pr p rty ; w h il e in th i r tiv s ta te t h y w ea r
o e , e na e , e

an u a ri e d u i f
nv wi th w d th e suc h
n o rm , no an n

a n ex c p ti to th is rul e a t a fford
e on hi t t , s o a n o

m a d th
an, m a s f gra ftiqg a p e rm a en t
n e e n o n

ch g u p a c c ide n ta l va ri et e s
an e on
‘

i .

T h p w r f e o t ff c t us e ful a lt e r a
e o m an o e e

ti on s i th ni l r i e an i i th i g
m a re c e at on, s n n o n m o

obvio us th a in th s e wh ic h sh e p h v u d r
n o e a e n e

go ne I t is i possibl e to e e th is a n im l ov e r
. m s a

lo a d e d wit h wo l sl w i its mov m e ts a n d o , o n e n ,

p ss ss e d f
o e an s of d e f c e a g a i st i ts
no m e o en n

n um r use o e i s without b e i n g c vi c d
en m e , on n e

th a t suc h a a i a l c uld e v e r exist i a st a te

n n m o n n

o f a tu r
n Th t it us t t h re f re w e its i
e . a m e o o m

p r f c tio s to m
e e na it p a ys h im by th s an, very s o e

imp r f cti s f h i support a n d prote ctio n

e e on or s .

I h v e though t th a t th
a a tur a l h istory o f e n

th is a i a l wit h a a ccou t f its v a ri e ti e s

n m , n n o ,

w uld t b u i t re s ti g to y f ll w ci ti
o no e n n e n m e o

z e s ; o r e p a r ticul r ly if it w a cc p a i d
n m a as om n e

by uc h d id cti c r e a r ks a would c t r ibut e

s a m s on

t th i
o ep r v e m e t a d p e r f c tio f th br e d
m o n n e n o e e

in uc h
s r as to e a bl e us t d a w th e
m an ne n o r

gr e t st pr fi t f r it
a e o om .

It will a sily b c c iv d th a t l i ttl n w

e e on e e , e e

c an b ff r d r l a tiv e t a qu a drup d th a t h
e o e e e o e as

so lo n g l iv e d u d e r th e c a re a n d obs e rva tio o f

n n
 14 4
E ss ay on S h eep .

m an ; but it will c rt a i l y b e u s e f ul
e to bri n g n

tog th e r th obs e rvati

e e th t h a v e b e e n ad e
ons a m

by d i ff r e t e n a t d i ff re t p e r i ds
e n m d to e n o , an

compris e i o n e lit tl e volu e wh a t us t w

n
'

m m no

b e sough t i v a riou s a n d e xp e siv coll e ctio s

”

n n e n ,

writte in d i ffe re n t l a gu ag e s a d f th e m st
n n , n or o

p a r t out f t h r o c h f th e f ea
y f e llow o o se o m

C i tiz t wh th i i dd d *

en s o om s s a re s se .

1 h a v e a lr e a dy obs e rv e d th a t a a i a l wh ich , n n m

prop a ga t s slowly w h ich h a n m a s f d

e , s o e n o e

f n c e a n d wh ich i n vit e s b y its e xt r e m e timid ity

e ,

th e a tt a ck f i ts e n e mi e s with out poss e ssi n g

o
'

th e a gility to a void th could e v r h a v e em , n e

e xist e d u n d e r its pr e s e t f orm i a s a vag st a t e

n n e ,

but il t t ll tim e s h a v e ow d its prot e ctio n

m s a a e

to a m n Sh ould a y cou t r y in wh i ch sh e e p
. n n

e xist b d e popul a t e d th e tot a l e xti ctio f th e

e , n n o

r a c e would f ollow th e d e p p u l a tio : w e must o n

th e s e e k f th e rigi a l stock or pr t typ e f

n or o n , o o o

s h e p i s m e qu ad pe d wh ich poss e ss s fo r c
e , n o ru e e,

a dd r e ss or a gility e oug h to e a b le i t to e xist

, n n

w ith out th e a id o f an S m e h a v e sough t

m . o

t h is i th e g a t ; but th is is e vid e tl y d isti ct

n o n a n

a i
n m al th oug h v e ry
, a r ly r e l a t e d ; si c e th e
ne n

h g t will prod uc e w it h th e e w a l a b
e oa e m

w i th out w l th t will be prod uc tiv e But th

oo , a . e

a
r m will t i p r g t no mh e g t wh ich
e na e a s oa ,

m a rks a obvious d isti n cti n in th e r a c e

n d o , an
 E ssay on S k eep .

s hows th a t th e sh e e p is ore d eg e n e ra t e th a m n

th e go a t B esid s t h at th go a t is e vid e tly

. e , e n

d esc e d e d fr th Bouqu ti wh ich a pp ea rs

n om e e n,

to m t e r s bl e th t e g a t
o e em stro gly e am o , so n ,

th t I h a v e
a tb a bl to r e a rk a y di ffe r
no ee n e m n

en ce i th e ir lo ks i th e ir h abits
n o i t h e ir
, n , or n

musky s ll ; xc pt t h t th e Bouqu e ti n is
m e e e * a

a l rg r
a d tr
e an
g i l
s t h o n
y per ci s a n m a an an s e e

of d om estic go a t th a t I h a ve s e Th h r s e n . e o n

a lso f or a h a c t i tic diff e e c e b e t w e e n

m c ar er s r n

th s h
e p a d th e go a t Bu ff a d a ll atu
ee n . on , n n

ral i t si c h i h ve s u ppos e d th e M fl
s s n e m , a ou on

Mus m wh a t is som e ti e s c a ll d th e
on, or m e

A rg li a d wh ich Li
a , n us d isti gu is h s by n n ae n e

th e an e f Anm y f t fo r
o i th stock f r m
m on o m e o

wh ic h th d i ffe r e t v a ri e ti s f do s tic sh e p
e n e o m e e

h a v origi a t e d
e I d ee d th e r e s bl a n c e f
n . n , em o

this a i a l to th e h ee p is
‘
n m st r iki g th a tt
s so n ,

th eR ussi a s c a ll it by th e a m e f th e W ild
n n o

Ra m But it e s bl s th e s h e p a th e vigour
. r em e e s

of m a h d r s e bl s th e f e bl en ss f i f cy
n oo e m e e e o n an ,

o r th d c r e pitud e f ge T h e
e e p ss e ss e s
o a . on e o

f rc a c tivity ; it c a d d ts l
i

o e,t g ths re n ,
f i f n e en e

a g i s t th
a n w ea k r a i a ls a d l ud th pur
e e n m , n e e e

suit f th t
o
"
w h il th o th r a
e s ro n o
0 ’
i th e r e e e c n ne

fi ght or fly ; b t wi thout o th e r d e f n c e th a
u , e n

H irc ns S } l ves tris a ut I bex 1? Ov is Am m om

 16
”
E ss ay on Sk eep .

i ts i n n oc e c e would soo n b e d e stroy e d b y th at

n ,

n u m e rous h st to w h i c h th is is th e fe e bl e st o f o

a rms i f th utility o f th e r a c e h a d
,
e t co n sti no

tu te d a a t o n c e its tyr a n t a n d prot e ctor

m n .

Pl i y s a ys th a t i th e isl an d o f Corsic a th e r e
n n

i a s p e ci e s o f M u
s ne n o t u n l ik e sh e e p sm o s ,

W h os e cov e ri g is o r l ik th sh a g f go a ts n m e e e o

t h a th w l f h p ; d th t th p r duct
n e oo o s ee an a e o

o f th is a n im a l wi th th e com m o n sh e p w a a e s n

c ie n tl
y c a ll e d Umbri Fro m th is circu st an c e . m

it b e i fe rr e d
a o t o n ly th a t th e y w e r e o c
n n
m
y ,

c a s io n a ll
y mix ed but th a t th e mix e d r a c e w e r e ,

s o Co o a to e r it a d is ti n ct n a m e Th is
m m n s m .

a n im a l is n o t h ow e v e r co n fi n e d to th e isl a d, , n

o f C o w a ; it is a t th is da y to b e f ou n d i a ll
rs n

th e u cul tiv a t e d p a rts o f th e isl a ds i

n th e Ar n n

c h i e la o
p g i Gr ee c e i n S a rd i i a
, a nd i
n th e , n , n

n orth e a st e r -
p a rts o f E ur p e a d Asi a v e n n o n , e

in K a c h a tk a a d Sib e ria fi
m s ’ T h e f ollowi n g n
t

P en n a n t hi nk t h i t is l f oun di Am e ric a , a n d, in p roo f

"
s ee m s t o t at a so n

of it , h e sa s h e h as re c e iv e df i dw l
ro m t h e n ce a fin e f r i n ge o f t w s te oo ,

w hi h h
c a d o rn a m e n t e d h d f t i h bi
e f R dJ k p
re s s o d
an n a ta n t o e ac , res e n t e

by D r Pa ll as , an d h h h d hi
t at lf e i d a h f h h bi
m se f re c e v e anot er ro m t e a t o

ll l d
.

an A m er c a n i o f l i d 50 a t tu T h fi e w w hi
. d f p e rs t as te , a n o un a ra e e

fin e n e s s ; th e ot h fi
er a s b p l b w ne, T h fi h
ut a pp d h a e ro n . e rs t e su ose t e

w oo w l hi h g c ro w s i i d wi h h i
n t erm xe h A g li d h t h a r on t e r a , an t e ot er t o

hv a e bee n f ro m h
t f h M k B ll w h i h i
e c oat o t e iv f us u , c s a n at e o o ur c o un

t ry , a n d c o e re v d Wi h l y fi l g h i
t e x t re m e d b h h ne on a r, a n e n ea t t a t a c oa t

of v er y fi ne w oo l Th d
. i i e f hi i l w ld i l gi l
o m e s t c a t on o t s an m a ou m er t e s a

v
t i e a t te n t o n i . T h i i e m C l f i
s s o n a i i es d ib w d to a i om ia n es cr e t o is

t in c t a n m a s , i l Wi h h d lik d
t a ea d h h f e a hi he e r, an t e om s o a. m m w c

i h d i h v y g d l d w h i h h l l d Wi l d
,

h y yw
t e sa e re furn s e W t er oo w oo , an c t ei r c a e

Sh p Th ee . ese w d bl h M
ci c o u t ess t A g li e us m on es or r a .
18 E ssay on Sheep .

ta i n s th at a re dry d es e rt a d fre e from wood ;

, , n

a d u o n rocks o n w h ic h h e fi ds a cri d a d n
n
p n

bitte r pl a n ts T he e we s l a mb b e f r e th s ows
. o e n

a re e n tir e l y m e lt e d T h e l a mbs r ese m b l e ~

y ou n g ro e bucks Th e i r h or n s a pp e a r o n th ir
. e

bi rth ; th e ir h a i r is so ft wo lly friz l e d a d , o , z , n

o f a d e p gr y e Th t g i
e . t wild ase s a s no so

th e A r g l i ; i t i
a l t i
p s ai b l t ppro
m os
a c h m os s e o a
”

h im ; wh e n pu rsu e d h e m a k e s a y tur n s to m n

th right a d to th e l e f t a nd it o ft e n h pp e n s
e n , a ,

w h e h e fi n ds n o roc k s or e mi n
n c s to h id e en e
'

i n h e tu r
,
n s up on h i ste ps a d p a ss e s b fore s n e

th e fa c e o f h i pursu e rs sH e is a s to is h i gly n
'

.
[
n

l igh t a n d w ift in th e c ours e a n d a n s u pport

\

s , c

a lo n g pu suit But h owe v e r wild th is sh e e p

r
.
,

m a y be i n its i n fa c y th e l a mbs a re e a si ly
,
n

t a m e d a d h abitu a te d to d ri k milk a n d a t
, n n e

h ay . T h e so ldie rs e mpl y e d
/
th e out p osts o on

h a ve f re qu en tly a sc e rt a i n e d th is by e x peri
m e n ts

It is obse rvabl e th a t th ough th er e a re stro n g

,

m a rks o f d i ff e re n c e b e tw ee th e Mou fl o a d n n n

th e d o m e stic sh e e p e t t h e r e a re a lso str g on

y ,

p i ts f res e mbl a ce T h e first h a s b e e n

o n o n .

d imi ish d by cul tiv atio n a i co v e n i t wh il e

n e s n n en ,

th e l a st h a b improv e d o n a cc u t o f its
s ee n o n

utility A th is qu a d r u p e d h a s prob a bly b e en

. s

f ou n d throu ghou t a ll th e mou n t a i n ous p a rts o f

 E s say on Sheep . 19

Eu m pe Asi a a n d p e rh aps e ve n in A fric a

a nd ,

a s its y u n g a re e a sily ta m e d ; a s its milk its

o ,

fl sh a n d its ski a
e , x tr m ly v lu a bl e to a n n re e e e a m

in a s a v g st a t e it is h ig h ly prob a bl e th a t it
a e ,

w a a o g th e first qu dru p e ds th a t w e r e do
s m n a

m stic a te d ; a n d f rom t h is circum ta c e i t h a s

e ,
s n ,

p e rh a ps w r u gh t l ss c h a
go i n m a n th a n no e n e ,

m an h t Whas i n p t di w . t
'

w it at
’

re s ec o e no o e ,

i f a is h ig h ly prob a bl e w e a re i n d e b te d t it f r
, s , o o

"
th eco v ersio o f a from th e wild an d wa n
’

n n m n

d ri g s a va g e to th e mild a n dge n tl e sh e p h e rd
e n ,

T h e hors e th e bull a d th e c a e l w e r e pr b a
, , n m , o

bly c qu e sts subs e qu tly m a d e ov e r th e a n i

on en

m a l c r a tio n b e c a us e it r e quir e d mor e str e gth

e , n

a n d s k ill to t a m a n d r e n d e r t h m u s e f ul ; b u t
e e

th e you n g M u fl on w a s soo n t a m e d ; th e fe m a l e
o

sa v a g e th at f ollow d h e r h usb a n d to th e ch a c e e

s na t c h d it f rom it bl ee di n g da
e pre ss e d it to s m ,

h e r b som a d b e c a m e it mo th e r ; it sport e d
o , n s

w ith h r ch ildr e a d t a ught th e m to l ov e a r a c e

e n, n

wh ic h th e y h ad hit h e r to pursu e d o n ly t d e s tr y o o .

A sl igh t a y f r e aso n must h a ve show th sa

r o n e q

v ag how muc h l e ss pr c a rio us h is subsiste n c e

e e

w ould be if h e co u ld d r a w it f rom a a n im a l
,
n

th a t fe d at th e do r f h is h u t t ha if h e w as o o , n

comp e ll e d to s e k it i th e ch a c e H e woul d e n .

e xt e n d his fl ock ; h e would c e a s e t tre sp a ss u p o

o n th e h u ti n g gro u n ds o f oth e rs ; but h e would

n
QO S heeii
'

E s say on .

a ppro pri ate a p r ti f th e su p port o f h is ”

o on or

fl ck ; h w uld compou d With h is trib e ; o r

o e o n

th e w h l tribe g i o e
g i t t h e am c u l ture ,
~

o n n o s e u

w u ld a k out limits Wh ich th e y would

'

o m r t no

suff e r t be tr sp ss d u p o ; th e y would u it e
o e a e n n

fo com o d fe c e ; th e righ ts o f prop e r t y

r m n e n

W uld b k w
o d e ti b f r edno n, an a na on e o m

w her b f r el y w an d ri g h r d s h d e x
e o e on e n o e a

i te d
s By w h t si pl e m e a s d o s provid c e
. a m n e en

p r o d uc e th e gr e a t e st good ? Th a t w e a e n t a t r o

th is m o m e n t fi rc e s a v g e a d brut a l , l ittl e e , a , n

sup e rior to th e b e a sts th a t ro a i th e wild e r

’

m n

ne ss a n d l y mpl o y i g th a t littl e s u p e riori ty

, on e n
"
i th e ir d str u ctio
n a d th e d structi n o f n, n in e e o

e ch oth e
a is prob a bly wi g t th e do e stic a
r, o n o m

ti o f gra mi ivorous n im als a d first f a ll to

n o n a , n , o ,

th a t f sh e e p To t h e m w e a re a lso i d e bte d f r
o .
‘

n o

so e f th e most p l ea si g a w e ll a f r th e m ost
m o n , s s o

import t a d us e f ul a rts T h e cr a dl e f usi c

an n . o m

a d p e try w a s r ock e d by th e sh p h e rds o f A r

n o e

ca d i a ; wh il e th e spi dl e a d th e di ta ff th e w h e l n n s , e

a d th loo origi a t e d i th e dom s tic a tio n

’

n e m , n n e

o f sh ep Th is li ttl e a i a l th e n i l g ts
e . n m , n o sm i

Ow wild a ture h a n o t o l y co v e rte d th e

n n , s n n

s v g e i t th a n but h as le d h im from o n e
a a n o e m ,

st a te f? civil i a ti t a n oth r ; th fi e rc e h u n
o z on o e e

te it h a c h a g d i to th ild sh e ph rd a n d
‘

r s n e n e m e ,

th e u n tutor e d sh e ph e rd i n to th e mor e p olish ed

 E ssay on Sheep . 21

m an u fa cture r T h more s e d e ta ry . e b n m en e

c a m e the gre a te r w r th e i r w n ts a d d e p
,
e e a n en

d e c e upo
n c h th r ; a d i th s e w ts
n ea o e n n o an

a n d th at d e pe d c e origi a te d ci iliz a tio

n en n v n

a d polis h d soci ti s
n e e e .

T h e s h p w h ic h a ppro a ch e s e a r e st t th e
ee n o

origi a l t k n .
d h
s oc su ff r d l ss by th e a rt
, an as e e e

o f m ian, th zA d i s A fr i
e s h ep m an or c an '
e .

T h e s e a re l a rg e a ctiv e a d cov r e d wi th h ir
, , n e a

w it h out a n y i t rm xtur e o f w ol n e I t is h
i o . o

s e r va bl e t h t th e M u fl
, a or A r g li h a a fl e c e
o on a s e

co pos d f h a i r a n d w ol i th e cold cli a t

m e o o n m e

o f T a rt a ry ; ye t t h os e i w r r cl i a t e s h a e n a m e m v

n o wo l It is prob a bly fro m t h is st ck th a t

o . o .

th e s h e e p f Gui e a h v e b
o re a r d ; d a
n a een e an s

th e y b e lo g d to a p e opl n e to w h o w ll e -
m oo en

clot h i g would be f
n u e wh f r erl y
o no s , o o m

w e t a k ed a d if th e y w w a r a sligh t a d
n n , n no e n

p rti
a a l cov e r i g it co sists n f l ight
, r a t e r i ls
n o e m a

th a wool would a ff rd ; it is t h refor

n o t , e e, n o su r

p risi g n th a t t h e y h a ve t a dd e d to th d g e
no e e en

ra cy o f th e ir flocks by r d e ri g th wool en n em

b a r rs H a l f s a v ag e th e s lv s th ey a e
'

e e . m e e , r

c n t e n t th a t th e i r d e stic a
o ls sh ld e
om nim a ou r

s e bl e th e ; si c i t h a t state th y a e fitt r
m m n e n e r e

to f ur n ish food t h a if pa rt f th e ir sust e n o

n a n c e w e t a lso to th e supply
n f clot h i g o n .

It is g e n e r a lly s u pp os e d th a t th e w a n t of wool
‘
22 E s s ay on Sheep ;
i th e n a tura l e ff e ct o f th e clim ate ; a n d th at
s o

th e wool b a ri g s h e p q -
e n b e i n g tran s porte d
e , n

to l w l a ti tud e s loos e th e ir woo l a n d a c qu ire

o , ,
'

h i r ; a d th e smoo th ski n n e d sh e e p t h a t a re
a n

f ou d i n most o f th e W e st I d i a isl a n ds a re
n -
n

a dd uc e d a s a proo f o f th is th e ory .

I will t p r t d to a y th a t clim a t e in a
no e en s
-

[
,

l o n g s e ri e s f y r yo t
p d u
e a s, m a chaa n g e n o ro ce

i th a tur e f qu a d ru p e d s ; but i f it d o e s I
‘

n e n o ,

b e li e v e it must op e ra t e v e ry slowly a n d m u c h ,

more gra d u a ll y th a n is g e n e ra lly su p pos e d

"
T h h a iry sh ee p th a t a re f ou n d I"
.

e m ost o f th e I

isl a ds a pp e a r to m e to b e a r e vid e n t m a rks f

n o

A fric a origi ; lik e th os e th e r a ms an d e wes

n n ,

h a e a ki n d f d e wl a p f l o g h a ir p e n d a n t
v o o n

f r om th ir e cks ; th e y a re l a rg e r a d more a c
e n n ~

tiv e th a th e commo n E urop ea n s h ee p It is

n .

c e rt a i ly o t to b e wo n d e r e d a t th a t cou n tri es
n n ,

wh ich m a i n t a i n a co sta n t i n t rcourse w it h n e

Gu i n e a sh o u ld h a v e bro u gh t ov e r th e ir sh ee p
as w e ll a s th e ir m e n a n d a th is br e e d a re j , s

b e tt e r a d a pt ed to a wa rm cl im a te th a n th e sh e e p
o f E u r op e th e y h a v e p rob a bly b e com e th e
,

p re d m i o t sh e e p in th e isl a ds ; though t h e r e
n en n

are , i y o f th e m wool b e a ri g sh e p
n m an ,
-
n e ,

which r e m a i n u a lt e r ed e x c e p t by m ixtu re of
n ,

v
O is Aries Guin ien cis .
 E ssa y art Sheep . 23

t h e ir b lo od W th th a t o f th e Gui n ea sh e e p I
i .

h a v myse l f h ad occ a sio to m a k e som e C X pe

e n

ri m e t in thos s h e p th r e
n s e f wh ic h w e re
e , e o

se n t e by my worth y fri e n d Mr K rby fr m

m . e , o

th eisl a d o f A tigu a I h a d th e s s v r l
n n . e e e a

y e ars with out o bse rvi n g th a t a y s e n sibl e ch a g e n n

w a prod u c e d by e xp sur e to th e a ir d uri g r

’

s o n ou

c l d wi t r
o n e p t h t l ik t
s, e x c eh A r g li
t th y
a , e e a , e

a cquir e d th e first wi t e r a c a t f v e r y s h r t
,
n , o o o

a d fin e wool b e low t h e ir h a ir
n wh ic h fe ll ff , o ,

to g e th e r wi th th e h a ir a th e sum r h e a ts c a m e
, s m e

o n, wh e th e y a cquir ed a e w co a t f h a ir
n n o

o n ly ; a d a wi t e r a ppro a ch d th is w a a g i n
n , s n e , s a

th ick e n e d by a u d e r s tra tu m o f v e ry fine

n n

s h ort wool Th e s e sh ee p a e th e th e Arg li

. r n a ,

but mod e ra tely d e ge e rat e d I d ee d it would n . n ,

a pp e a r a li ttle e xtr a ord i a ry if th e cl im a t e th a t n ,

c n v e rts th e h a ir o f a n i n to wool should by

o m , ,

s om e re trogr a d e mov e m e t ch a g th e woo l n , n e

o f sh ee p i n to h a ir T h e n e xt in ord e r i
.
, n

p oi n t o f d e g e n e r a cy f r om th e origi a l stock

i th e s h ee p o f Ic e l a n d " Lik e th e A rg a li
n ,

s 6
.
,

t h e y h a ve two co a ts ; e o f extr m e ly co a rs e on e

h a ir wh ich h a rdly m erits th e a m e o f wool

, n ,

a d a n oth e r b e ea th it
n f a so ft e r a n d fi e r
n o n

q u a li ty but o mix e d a
, to s m a k e it impos s ibl e s

v
O is Aries P olycera ta . L in .
24 E ss ay on Sheep .

t o s e p a r at e th e m Th e s e sh ee p p a rt ak e o f th e
.
‘

h a r d i e ss f th e p a k T h l a rg e h or s
‘
‘

n o t t -
re n s oc . e n

p culi a r to th e A rg a l i is o t i d e d f ound
e
“

n , n e ,

am o g th e in th e s a m e form but it is b r k
n m ,
’

o en

d ow i to s v e ra l sm all e rbra n ch e s Most o f

n n
’

e .
'

th e m c r ry four a d a y fi e h rn f c
a , n m n v o s o '
on

s ide b le si
ra d lw ys pi r l
z e, an W h a t is e a a s a .
.
r
"

m a rk a bl e ; d h w th t th i
an i r u sta c e i
s o s a s c c m n s

owi ng to th e a ddr ess o f a a d t to th e m n, n no

effe c ts f cl i a t e is t h a t wh
o m th e co mo , , en m n

s h p a e brought to l ela n d th e ir h rn di
‘

ee r c , o s .

m i ish or d is a pp ea r alt o g e th e r ; th is a t l e a s t
n , ,

is ffir m d by V B
a e a i T h Ic e l a d fl cks
. om r . e n o

ar e n e v e r st a bl e d b u t s e k th e ir f ood by fo l
, e

lo w i gth e h ors e s a d ea ti n g th e gra ss a d moss

n n n

t h a t th ey u n co e r ; th e ir w fe e t b e i n g too
v o n

f e bl e to d ig th e s ow
e Th ir sh e lte r is th e n . e

j utti g r cks or ou t a i s c a v e r s At th e
n o , m n n
’
n .

a ppr a c h o f a s o w storm th e y ru n vi ol e tly

‘
o n n

t o wa rds th e a a n d a e so e tim e s pre cipita te d

se , r m

i t it by e a ch oth e r Th y h a ve pr b a bly
n o . e o

l a r e d from e xp e ri e n c e th a t th e sea so fte n s th e

e n

rig u r f th e a ir d th a t th e s ow is soo n e r
‘

o o , an n

d iss lv d i its vici n ity th a n upo th e mou

o e n n n

ta i n s I f th y a e surpriz e d by a s o w storm
. e r n

b e f re th e y
o r a ch th e co ast th e y turn th e ir
c an e ,

h e a ds tow a rd ea c h o th r a d p a ti e tly e x p e ct e , n n ,

u d r th e ir fl ee c y cov e ri g th e a id o f t he ir
n e n ,
26 E ssay on Sheep .

th e com m o n sh e e p in h a vi n g h r n s spir a l a n d o ,

growi g uprigh t T h is s h e e ph a in W a ll a ch i a
n . s

a d Hu g r y a n u n d ul a t e d w ol wh ic h is v a lu
n n a o ,

a bl f r p e ltri e s ; but I im a gi n e th is is r th r th e
e o a e

e ff ct o f a rt th a n na tur e f e I fin d t h a t th e m o
e , r n

gul Ta rta rs m a k e u se f th e f ll o wi n g m e s o o an

to h a v e th e ir p e lt r i e s o f th is so r t T h e l a mbs .

h v a tu r lly wi th t h e m a s th e y f r qu tly
e na a ,
e en

h a v wi th us a ki d f w a v e or curl
e , n th r o in ei

wool w h e t h y are first d ropp e d I o r d e r

n e . n

to pro ve th is a d to r e d e r it p e rm a n e n t
1m , n n ,

th e y cov e r th e lamb wit h a li e co a t ti e d clos e n n ,

a bout th e body Th is th e y wa te r f re qu e n tl y with

.

w a rm w a t e r a d loos e it occ a sio n a lly a s th e

,
n

l a mb i n cr e a s e s in siz e W h en it h a a tt a i e d . s n

th e n e c e ss a ry p e r fe ctio n o f w h ich th e y j udg e ,

by i n sp e ctio th e y kill th e l a mb T h e s e ski s

n, .

. n

a re mor e V al u a bl e th an a n y o f th e f u rs x , e

c e pt th os e o f th e S a bl e It migh t be worth .

th e tri a l h e r e upo som e o f ou r l a mbs whos e

n

wool is most curl d a d w a v e d wh e n th e y a re e n

dr pp e d By th is m e a n s a w sourc e f profit
o . ne o

m igh t be d e riv e d fr m th is us e ful a im a l ; o r o n n

w uld th e fl e sh be lost : a l a mb is fit f th e ta
o or

b le a t a m th old I h a v e s e h u n d re ds o f
on . en

th e m sold by butch e rs at N a pl e s muc h you g e r n .

T h e re a i Sp a i wh e re th e y h a v e mig ra ti g
, s n n, n

flocks prob ably h a l f th e l a mbs a re kill ed I

, . n
 E s say on Sheep . 27

Sp a i e v e ry l amb o f th e igra ti g flock h a

n m n s,

b sid e s h i n a tura l a fost r moth e r I rd e r

e s , e . n o

to i d uc e th e l ast t t k th e l m b th sk i f
n o a e a ,
e n o

t h a t wh ic h h a b e kill d is put upo th s e e n e n e on

t be r is d a n d i n t h is disguis
o a e , h ist a k e s
, e, s e m

it f h e ow n a n d g e ts fa mili a r i e d to it i a
or r , z n

fe w d a ys T h is do e s t i d ee d a lways suc
. no , n ,

c ee d Wh . it d s t th s h p h r d co
en p e ls
oe no , e e e m

h er t a dmit th e l a mb by tyi g h e
o n r .

T h e r a c e f sh e e p th a t I sh a ll e xt otice is
i

o n n ,

o n e th a t is mor e e xt e n siv e l y d i ffus e d th a an n

y
ot h e r si c e it is f u n d throughout Asi a a n d a
, n o ,

gre a t p a rt f A fr ic a a we ll a through th e
o , s s

n rt h ea te r a rt o f E urop e I r e fe r to th e

"
o
p s n s
-
.
/

bro d t a il e d h e p fi The s e d i ffe r a s th o r di

a -
s e , e

n a ry E urop ea r a c e i th e a tu r e f t h e i r o
n , n n o c

v e rin
g I M a d a g a sc a r
. n a d som e oth e r hot , n

cli a tes th e y a re h a iry ; a t th e C a p e o f Good

m ,

H p e th e y a re cove re d with co a rs e h a rsh wo l ;

o o

i n th e L e va t th e ir w l is xtre m e ly fi e or
n oo e n , ,

i n oth e r words th e y a re a d a pte d to th e ec e , n s

siti s f th e p e o p l e by wh o th e y h a v b e en
e o m e

c h g d from th e ir wild to th ir do e stic sta te

an e e m .

T h e s e s h e e p are g e e ra ll y l a rg r t h th os e f n e an o

E u r op e i w h ich circu st
, n c o ly a d the m an e n , n

form a n d siz e o f t h e ir t a ils t h e y d i ff e r f rom ,

O v is Aries L a tic a n dat a .

28 E ssay on Sheep .

th e m T h e br a d t a il e d sh e e p a re of th ree
. o -

sp e ci e s I th . th ta il is
n t o ly bro a d b u t
e one e no n

l g
on ,d w ig h ty th a t th e sh e ph e rds a re
an so e

c p ll e d to pl a c e two lit tl e wh e e ls u d e r it
om e n

to e n abl e th e sh e p to d r a g it Th e s e t a ils are

e .

s a id som e ti s t w e igh from forty to fi fty

m e o

pou ds A th e r sp e ci e s h a v e th e t il bro a d
n . no a
[

an d fl t b t a t v e ry lo g c v r e d w i th w
, u no l n ,
o e oo

ab v o but sm oth b e low a d d ivid d by a

e, o , n e

f urr w i to two lob e s o f fl e sh ; th e s e a e a lso s a i d

o n r

t
o w igh a bov e th irty pou n ds I sh ould ot
e : n

h ow e v r e sti a te th e w ight f thos e wh ich

e , m e o

I aw th e m e a g ry a t Pa ris a t
s in n re th a n
e , m o

te n twe lv e pou n ds . I som e sp e ci e s a sm a l l

or n

t h i t il proj e c ts f rom th e c e tre f th is fl e sh y

n a n o

e xcr e sc e c e T h e c mpositio o f th is e x c e s
n . o n r

c c e is s a id to b e a mixture o f fl e sh with a
en

g t proportio o f fa t a n d to be v e ry d e lic a t e
re a n ,

f d ; but th e a i a l h a littl e oth r fa t th e

oo n m s e ,

t a il b e i g i h i th e r e p ository o f th a t fa t
n n m

w hich l a ys bout th e loi s o f oth r sh e e p

a In n e .

oc ld cl i at s th e fa t f th t a il res e mbl e s su e t ;
m e o e

but i wa r o e s a a t th e C a p e o f Good
n m n , s

H p M a d a g a sc a r & c it is so so ft th a t wh n
o e, , .
, e

m l t d it w ill t h a rd a g a i T h e i h bita n ts
'

e e no en n . n a

m i xit with ta ll w i n c e rt a i propo r ti s w h e

o n on , n

it as u s th e c siste cy f h g s l a rd a d i ’
s m e on n o o , n s

th e e a ten l ik e butte r or us e d for cul i n ary pur

n ,
 E s say on S heep . 29

pos es Na tural ists im agi th t this e xcre sc n c e

. ne a e

is wi g t s m e circumsta c e i th e food f
o n o o n n o

th e sh ee p w h ich k s th f t fall dow f r

, m a e e a n om

th e loi i n to th t il a d t h us cc a sio s th is
n e a , n o n

m st r osity I do t h we ve r t h i k this
on . no , o , n

p r ob a bl si
e,n c e th e prodigi us e xt n t f c u o e o o n

t r y th rou gh wh ic h this r a c e i prop ag a t e d must s ,

re n d r th
e f o d a v a r i us
e o th
s l i t in o as e c m a es

w h i h th y
c e b r e d I a th r th i k th t it
a re . r e n , a

ow e s its origi n to th e a t f gr u d e d r o m an, o n

u po som e o f t h os e sports o f a ture which

n n , ,

i a ll d m e stic a n im ls a ffo r d a b a sis wh e r e o

n o a , n

to i graf t h i whims T h e bro a d ta il e d sh e e p

n s .
-

d e s t di ffe r ore f rom th A rg a li th a n th e

o no m e ,

w h it e fa t a il e d pig e o
n- do e s f ro th e wild n m

blu e E urop ea pig e o fr n whic h it rigi n om o

n a lly d e sc e n d e d ; or th a th e littl e h irl ss n a e

smooth ski n n e d Turkish cur fro th e ro ugh

-
, m

sh e ph e rd s dog th e co mo a c e stor f h i
’

, m n n o s

r a c e It ay be a sk ed to wh a t e n d would
. m ,

m a n cultiva te this d e for i ty a n d th a t t m , oo

th roug h e xten siv e a r e gi a to forbid u r

so on s o

a tt r ibuti g it to wh i
n or f sh io n ? M a y t m a no

th e sh e p h e rd who first obs e rv e d t h is lusus a n

tu rae i h i flock ha v e c
n s clud d th a t h e h a d on e ,

m a d e a v ery v a l u abl a cquisitio si n c e h e t n, e no

o ly h ad a sh ee p t h a t g a ve him a uch wool

n s m ,

m il k or fl e s h as th e r e st o f h is flock but a t a il , ,
 30 E ssa y on Sheep .

which in a dd iti , g a ve him a c o m fo rtable

on,
'

m al or w h a t
e , s till mor v a lu a bl e a mo g
13 e n

sa v g s pl ty o f gre a s e fo r h i t il e t a n d h is
a e ,
en s o

ki tc h e Th is c ircumst a c e a l o e would m a k e
n n n

h im tte ti ve to ch e rish a d prop a g a te th e de

”

a n n

fo rmity ; a d th e r a th e r a s h e must soo n h a v e

n ,

f u d th a t it w a a tt e d e d with a n th e r i port
o n s n o m

a t
n d a t g ; th
va n a s h e e p b i g mo r e u wi l d
e e e n n e

l y w u l d b e l ss a pt to str a y or r t u r t its
,
o e e n o

sa v a g e st t ; a obj e ct f co n sid r a bl e i mport

a e n o e

an c i th e e a rly st a te o f soci e ty We fin d at
e n .

this mom e t a d e formity i sh e e p cultiv a te d

n n

with tte ti a mo g urs e l v e s A a ccid e ta l

a n on n o . n n

v a r i e ty o f s h e p h a ve b e e f ou n d h e re with
e n

s h o rt c r ook e d l e g such i fa ct as to crippl e s, , n ,

“

th e m d t a k e otio n a I shou ld th i k
, an o m m , s n ,

p i ful to th e
a n T he s e c a ll e d th e O tte r Sh ee p
m .
, ,

a e v a lu d f r th i s d e f or
r e o ity b e c a us e it disa m ,

bl e s th fr m s tra yi g or l e a pi g ove r wa ll
em o n n s

o r fe c e s ; a n d wh a t w a a t first pr b bly a
n s o a n

a ccid t a l circu st a c e h a b co e th e b a sis e

en m n , s m

o f a e w a d u sightly r c
n n I f a ivili d
n a e . c ze

n a ti with w ho t ast e h form e d a sta d a r d

o n, m as n

for b u ty c a co n s e t to crip p l e God s w rks

ea , n n
’
o ,

and r ct a a lt a r to d e formity wh e re o n t a
e e n ,
o s

c ific e th e
r j oy e ts o f a h e lpl e ss d us e ful
en m n an

a in m al w h s h ld w e b sur r i d th t s v
y , e p ou a a a ze ,

g e s, ig or a t o f
n th e b ena u ty o f p roportio a d n n
 E ss ay on Sh eep . 31

th e h a rmo n y of fo rms ,
should h a v e e r l y a

soug h t t curb th tr ubl e so e gili ty f t h ir

o e o m a o e

sh e p by givi g th e s
e ,
p r f r c e to rick ty
n am e e e en e

t ils th a t s
a ,
mo g us h a ve d
om e a to r ick e ty
n one

l e gs ?
I com e ow to sp e a k o f thos e bre e ds f s h p
n o ee

th a t a e b e st k ow to us a d i d ee d th most
r n n , n n e

us f u l i u s t te f s ci t y th h p f
e n o r a o o e -
e s ee o

Eur p o I s h ou l d h owe v r firs t b s rv th t

e . e o e e, a

som provi c e s o f Pe rsi a poss e ss a br d f

e n ee o

sh e e p whos e wool is fi e r a n d re v a l u d n m o e

th a n th a t o f Sp a i n ; but a I h ave n o w h e r et s e m

with a mi n ute a ccou t o f th e m I sh a ll p r o n ,

c e e d to otic th e r a c e o f sh e e p wh ic h h lds
n e o

th e first r a k a d b a rs th fi est fl e e c s f
n , n e e n e o

a n
y k ow i n E urop
n e — I
n m e th e M ri o an e n

sh e e p f Sp a i n T h e r a c e a ie g e a tly i
‘

o . v r s r n

siz e a n d b ea uty in d i ffe r e t p a rts f Sp i It n o a n .

is co mo ly r a th e r s a ll e r t h a th e iddl e
m n m n
‘

siz e d s h e e p o f Am e ric a T h e body is c . om

p a ct th e l egs shor t th e h a d lo g th f re
, , e n , e o

h e ad a rch e d T h e a g e n ra lly (but t i

. r m e no n

v a ri ably ) c a r r i e s v e ry l a rg e spir a l ho r s h a n , as

fi e ye a d a bold st p T h e e w s h v e g e e
n e
‘
n e . e a n

r a lly h r s
no T h e wo l f t h e s e s h e e p is so
o n . o o

m uch fi e r a d s fte r t h th co mo wool

n n o an e m n ,

as to b e r so r t f co p a riso with it ; it i
a no o m n s

twist e d a n d dr a w n tog e th e r lik e a cork scr e w ; -

32 E ss ay on Sh eep .

its l e n gth is g e n e ra lly abo u t thr e e i n ch es but ,

wh e dr a w out it will s tr tc h to n ea rly doubl e

n n e

th a t l gt h T h ough th e wool is wh cl e a e d
en .
, en n ,

e x t re ly wh it e ye t th e sh ee p it a pp rs f
m e , on ea o

a y e llowish or d irty brow colou r owi g to n ,

n

th e clos e e ss o f th e co a t a n d th co n d e s a ti
n , e n on

o f th e p rspir tio e th x tr i ti s o f th e
a n on e e em e

fl c T h w l commo ly cove rs g r t p r t
ee e . e oo n ea a

o f th h e d a d d e sc e ds to th e h
e a , n f f th e n oo o

h i d fe t p a rticul a ly i you n g sh e e p ; it is
n e ,
r n

a lso uc h mor gre a sy th a n th e wool o f oth e r

m e

s h e e p Sp a i co t a i b e sid e s th M e ri e s a
. n n ns e no ,

v a r i e ty f oth e r sh e p
o Thos e c a ll d th Cho e . e e

a ro e s a re much l o g e r l a rg e r a d h igh e r upo n

n , , n

th e l e gs t h a th e M e ri e n T h e r h ds a e no s . 1 ea r

s a ll e r a d d prive d f wool Th ir c o n
m , n e o . e

s tit tiu a re st r o g e r th a
ons thos e f th M e
n n o e

ri o Th e ir wool e a r e ight i ch e s lo g b u t
n . n n n ,

st r ight r a d f l ess v a l u e th a th a t f th e
a e n o n o

M e ri o Th is r a c e e xt ds th rough a ll Sp a i
n . en n,

ev en i t t h s e provi c e s i w h ic h th e M e
n o o n n

ri o is most p e r fe ct T h oth r sh e e p a re a
n . e e

m ix e d br ee d b twe e thos e a d th e M ri o e n n e n .

T h e u b e r f th e s e two sp e ci e s is comput d
n m o e

at b u t
a o A mo n g th e M e i th e r e r n o es

a e v ri e ti s
r a p r ob a bly o cc a sio e d by th c a re
e , n e

o r f cy f th r igi a l culti v t rs f this a

an o e o n a o o v

l abl stock in di ffe r t p a rts o f S pa i n C astil

n e en . e
34 E ss ay on Sh eep .

S pai n b e i g s s v re a to d estroy th e v e
n ot n o e e s

e t tio e xc e pt i th u tai s N n c ssity

g a n, e e e m o n n .

a ls o co t r ibute d to k e e p up t h is pr a ctic e
n .

Duri g th e l o g w a rs tha t w e r e c a rri d n

n n e o

b e twe e n th e a tiv e s f Sp a i a d th e Moo r s

n o n n ,

a gricultur e w a n e gl e ct e d a d th e o ly pro
s , n n

p e rty w h ic h c uld b s v d f r o th ra v a g e se a e om e

of a e emyn w n th t w h ich could b e ea sily

, as a

r e m ve d ; but th e y w e r e co t t a t th a t ti e
o n en m

t tr a v l o ly f ro
o e th e pl a i s to th e a dj i i g
n m n o n n

mou t a i s a d n o t a s a t pre s e t to tra v e l th e

n n , n n

w h l e ki n gd o
o twic e a y ea r N e i the r c e
m . on v

n ie c e n e c e ssity
n or a n b e o ff e r e d a
n a ex c s n

cus e f a pr a ctic e o h u rt f ul to a g c u ltu e

or s r1 r .

T h is w as f u d e d i a bus e f pow e r H a ppy

o n n o .

w uld it b e f m a ki d if th is w a s th e l y
o or n n on

i st a c e i w h ich ty r a
n n n y a n d op p re ssio n h a d nn

b ee e n g a ft e d u po e c e ssit y
n r n n .

T h g r e a t e r p a rt o f th e tr a v e lli n g fl o cks i n
e

p r oc e ss f tim e got i to th e h a n ds
o f th sov e n o e

r ig
e i to t h os o f th p r i cip l courti e rs
n, or n e e n a

a d cl rgy ; a d f ro
n e t h c w e must prob a
n m en e

bly d a t th e oppre ssiv e c d by wh ic h th e ir

e o e

m ar c h is r e gul a te d a d th e origi f th e gr t
, n n o ea

C u cil f th R oy a l T r p (C s j d la
o n o e oo on e o e

M st ) by w h
e a , th os e l a ws a e a d i ist r d
om r m n e e .

M L t ie i h i xc e ll e t tr tis e giv e s th e
. as e r , n s e n ea ,

f o llowi g a ccou t o f th is cou n cil

n .
n .
 E s say on Sh eep . 5

T h e Me
sta wh ic h r igi t d with th e ti s , o na e m e ,

i w h ic h f r c
n ly g a v l w a b ut th e id
o e on e a , o m

dl f th fi ft
e o th c e tu r y f r ed
ee n p li tic l en , o m a o a

b d y T his ss ci ti w co pos d f r ich

o . a o a on as m e o

an d p w r f ul p e r so s
o e d so e k ll n , an m m on s, a

p r opri e tors f fl cks w h ic h u d e r th o o th , ,

n e au o

ri ty f gov o t m d e l a ws a nd d e cid e d
e rn m e n , a

qu s ti s r l ti v t p tu r g
e on e a d fl cks f
e o as a e an o o

s h ee p Two g r t qu r t volu s f r d th
. ea a o m e o m e e

cod e o f p ivil g s a d th e a rs a l i w h ich

r e e , n en n

w re f u d r s to co b a t j us tic a d pp r ss
e o n a m m e n o e

th w k It w s ld
e ea . t h t propri t r s f as e om a e o o

la d n d d a ds w h th y sus ta i e d da
m a e em n en e n

m g thi ki g t b tte r to su ff r t h a t c n
a e, n n 1 e e n o o

t s t w h th y w r a su r e d t h t th e xp e s e
e , en e e e s
a e n

would g r e tly xc d y c p s ti th y a e ee an om en a on e

m ig h t r e c v e r It is su ffici t t y th t th is
o . en o sa , a

trib l is t o ly d v r s e t th
una no cl si g f
n a e o e en o n o

l a d but th t u d r s e ci cu sta c s it
n , a , n e om r m n e ,

m
y p
a r h ibit p r opor i to r s f r cul tiv t i g th i r e om a n e

i h e r it a c A Sp ish w r i t r (J lla ) i
n n e . an e ove n es , n

a m em o i r dd r ss e d t th e Ki g f Sp i s ys
a e o n o a n, a ,

‘
th c r ps f J a di
e o
( t h
o p r p r i t rsun f nes e o e o o

fl cks ) j y
o en o
e r us po w r an d h a ve no m o e , an ,

by th f r c f s p h is s d i t r igu e s
e o e o t o m an n , no

on ly g r s e d ll th e p s tu r s f th ki g d
en os a a e o e n om ,

b t h v
u ad
a th ecul ti v t r s a b a d n t h e i r
m e e a o n o

most f til e l a ds : th u t h y h a ve b a is h ed th e
er n s c n
st a ti o n a ry flocks (th e est a t e s ) rui n e d a gric u l n ,

ture a d d p pul t d th c u try I t is e a sily

, n e o a e e o n .
’

co c e i v d th a t fi e illio s f s h e p tr a v r s
n e , v m n o e e

i g th e ki gdo
n i a lmost its w h ol e xt t
n m n e en ,

for wh o th e cultiva tors a re comp e ll e d to

m

l e v e a ro d th roug h th e ir vi e y a rds a d b e st
a a n n

cul tiv a t d l a ds f t l ss th
e n i ty y a rds o no e an n ne

w id e a d f ,
wh n b sid s l r g com o n s
or om , e e , a e m

must b l ft ; I a y it is e sily co n c e iv e d th a t
e e s , a

suc h a flock must grea tly co tribute to th e de n

p opul a ti f th cou try a d th t th e r e v e u e

on o e n , n a n

th a t th Ki g d r a ws by th duty
e n wo l is e on o

s n a tc h d f r eth br a d f h is p opl e
om e e o e .

W h e th e s e v e r e w e th e r co
n e c e s u po n a m m n

th e mou t a i s th sh ph e rds pr e p a r e t d e p a r t
n n , e e o ,

w h ich is g e e r a ll y a bout th e e d f S e pt m
n n o e

b e a d t h r ough out th e
r n o th f O ctob e r to m n o ,

s k mor t e p e ra t cl i a t e s a d fre sh e r pas

ee e m e m n

ture s I April a d M a y a ccordi g a th

. n n , n s e

s a so is l a te o r e a r ly th e y r tur t th ou n
e n , e n o e m

t a i s T h y g e r lly t r v l b ut fi or ix
n . e ne a a e a o ve s

l e gu s a da y
a e d st p occ a si a lly i
,
th e
an o on n

p s ture s pr e p a r d f o th e m th e h a d sh p
a e r : e e

h e r d p r c d s a d th e r est fl k f ollow th
e e e , n an or e

fl ck t c ll ct th e st r a ggl r s Lik V i r gil s

o o o e e . e
’

L ibc a s h e ph e rds th e y c a rry e v r y th i g w i th

n , e n

th e m .
 E ss ay on Sheep . 7

Om i
n a s ec u m

A rm en ta - i u s
'

A fr
e a i
g ,t te c tu m q ue , la re m qu e ,
A rm a
q u e, A m yc laeu m qu e e an e m ,
C res s a m que ph aretram .

T h is is c p r is d i e ry
om h r t c at a l gu e e n a v s o o .

T h sk i s f s h e p th t s rv e f
e n o th e i r b ds e a e or e , a

k e ttl a l a t h r b ttl a k ps a ck a spoo a

e, e e o e, na , n,

l a c e t t bl e d th i r s h p sciss r s a h a tc h t
n o e e ee , a o , e ,

a k ifn d br d d il
e, a n u t w h ic h t h y
ea an o or s e , on e .

su b sis t a d a f w d r ugs f t h i r s h p T h s
, n e or e ee . e e,

wi th th ski s f th os e sh e e p t h a t die i th e
e n o n

p ss g a c a rri e d by a fe w b ea sts f bu r th e n
a a e, re o

w h ic h a cco p a y th e flock T fa cil ita t th m n . o e e

m rc h
a u b r f w th r s f th l r g st si e
, a n m e o e e o e a e z ,

w h ic h th yc all Ma sos ,a e r d e r d v ry t a
e n r en e e m e .

T h e s c a rr yb lls d ta ug h tto ob y th e g
e e , an a re e 51

n al f th s h ph r ds
s o d e it h e r
e r c h st p
e e , an m a or o

a th y d i r c t
s e T h e r e st f th flocks follow th i r
e . o e e

l e ade r s A soo a th e y a rr v a t th r W t e r
. s n s i e ei in

qu r t e r s th e s h p h rd s first c a r is to for th
a ,
e e
’

e m e

p s i wh ich th y a g ath re d a t ig h t to
en n e re e n

p r te ct th e f r th e w lv w h a lw ys i
o m om o es, o a m

g ra t e wit h th s h p i r d e r t pick up th
i
e ee , n o o e

si k th w ea k or th e st r ggl rs T h s e f lds
c , e , a e . e o

a re ad f g ist a h isp a ic
m e o w h ic h is en n a, a

s ft r us h y s h r ub :
o ts b sk ts a d r op s a m a , a e n e re

m a d e f it T h o sh e s f t h s
. t e cl e m e o e e ne n o

sur s a a f t wid
e re T h e d gs wh i ch a r
oo e . o , e

o f
'

l a rg e bree d s e rv e to gu a rd th is f ld t
a , o a
n ight T h e sh p h rds m a k th e ir ow n t e n ts
. e e e

wi th st a k es bra c h s d bra mbl s a d h a ve

,
n e , an e , n

for th is purpos e a righ t t ta k e br ch o on e an

f rom e v ery f or e st tr e e T e n th ous a n d s h p . ee

compos e a flock u n d r th e dire cti o f n e e on o

ch i e f a d th is is di vide d i to te tr ib e s T h e
, n n n .

h e a d sh p h r d h e bs lu t de ov r
as a o e om m to n e

fi f ty sh e p h e rds d y d gs fi e o f
, an as m an o , v

ea c h b i g a e n e x e d to a trib e nn His s a l a ry is .

a bout two h u d r e d d oll a rs a y e a r n wh il e t h a t ,

o f th e first sh e ph e rd f a trib e is o ly te n th e o n ,

s e co d e ig h t th e th i r d a d f urt h still l e ss a n d
n ,
n o ,

a boy o ly tw a d a h lf T h e ir d ily a l
’

n o n a a
'

l owa n c f food is two p u n ds f br ea d a n d

e o o o ,

a s mu ch to e a ch d Th ey k ee p a f w a
g y o . m e

go a ts or s h e p f wh ich th e y h a v e th e m a t
e , o e ,

but n o t th e w ol T hey r e c e i v e a a gr tuity

o . s a

a b ut six s h ill i gs i
o April a d n uc h in n , n as m

O ct b e r by w y f r g l e O th ro a d th e y
o , a o e a . n e

a e e v e r y da at ll s ea so e xpos e d to th e
r
y , a n s,

i a d a t ig h t h v e
a r, n n sh lt r but th i r mi a no e e e

se r a b le h uts I th is w a y l i v e to a co sid e r a
. n n

bl e
ga t h e etw e ty fi e t h us a d n th at -
v o n m en

co p s e th e sh e p h e rds i Sp i
m o T h e flocks n a n .

co sis t f r s e w e s w t h rs d l a mbs i
n o am , , e e an , n

th e f ll wi g p r portio : fi e r a s
o o n o e h un n v m , on

d d w s tw ty fi w e th r s a d fi fty l
re e e , en -
bsve e n am .

Th e s a l l u b e r f l a bs is owi g to th
m n m o m n e
 E ssay on Sheep . 39

sh p h e rds killi g a ll th a t a n t n c e ss a ry t
e n re o e o

k p U p t h e ir st ck w h ic h is f cours l i
ee o , , o e,

m i tt d by th
e rig h t f p tu rag T h
e o as e . e n um

b er f tr v lli g M e r i
o a e s h p is b ut fi e
n no ee a o v

m illi s T h fl e c s f th e r a ms w e ig h ig h t
on . e e e o e

a d a h l f po u ds
n a o f th e w e s fi w h ic h
n , e ve ,

l s e s h l f i w s h i g ; but i t h is t h re is g r t
o a n a n n e ea

v a r i ty cc rdi g t th d iff r t sp ci s f
e , a o n o e e en e e o

M i e r n o es T h e p r d uc is a bout tw ty f u r
. o e en -
o

r e a ls o r sixte s h illi ngs pe h ea d O f th is

,
en r .

th e w e r r e c e i
o n s but tw th e Ki g six a d ve o, n , n

th r a i d r g e s to th p a y
e em n e t of e p
o e m en x en

s e f p stur e tyt h s s h p h e rds d gs S c

s, o a , e , e , o , e .

W h e th e s h e p r tu r to t h ir su
n e e r p a stu r e
e n e m m

th y h a v e
e uch s alt giv th m a t h e y will
as m en e s

eat O e t h ous a d s h e p a e a llow d

. n n h e r e one un

d re d pou ds o f s a lt wh ic h th e y a t i b ut
n , e n a o

fi ve m ths Th y e at o e wh e o th ir
on . e n n n n e

j u r y or i th e i wi t r qu a rte rs T h y
o ne ,
n r n e . e

s uppos e i Sp a i th a t s lt co t r ibute s grea tly

n n a n

t o th fi e ss f th e w ol T h e s h p h e rd
e n ne o o . e

pl c s fi fty
a e sixty fl a t st e s a t a bout five
or on

f ch h er ; h e str ws s l t u o
'

p a c es t
ro m ea
p
o e a n,

a d l e a ds th
n
sh e a o g t
e h I e th e n em n
p m .

m uth f A p r il i t r qui r s s e vigil a c e to

o o e e om n

p r v e t th s h p fr
e n e arc h i g ee ff without om m n o

t h i r s h e p h rds t th v e r y pl a c e wh e re t h y
e e , o e e

fe d th e pr e c e di n g y e a r w hich th e y som e tim e s ,

 40 E s say on Sheep .

do to th e umb e r o f thr e e or f our h u n dr e d in

n

a flock .

As th e Me ri n o sh ee p a re grea tly sup e rior to

an
y oth e r i n E urop e it h a a tur a lly l ,d t a n s n e o

i n quiry i n to th e ir origi n a n d th e tim e o f th e ir ,

i n trod uctio i to S p a i n O th s subj e ct h istory

n n . n i

do e s t a ff r d a ll th li gh t w could wish
no o e e .

Ma n y suppos e th a t th y w r e o r igi n a lly i n tro e e

d c d f om th e co a st o f B a rb a ry by D o n
u e r ,

P e dro th e f urth wh o a sc e n d e d th e th r e o f
o , on

C a stil e i n th e idd l e o f th e fourt ee t h c n

,
m n e

tu r y O th e rs a g a i a ttribut e th ir i n trod ucti

. n e on

to C a r d i a l X im n e s w h b e c m e P r im M i
n e , o a e

n ist e r o f Sp a th b e g
m m n g o f th e S xt e t h
e inni i e n

c e tury A d A n d e rso i sists u po n th e a u

n . n n n ,

th or ity f St w a d s
o o e old r cords th a t th e
n om
y e ,

w e re i trod u c e d f r m E gl a d a s a rly a E d
n o n n e s

w a rd th e fou rth wh o d i e d in 1 4 8 3 Th ugh, . o

all t h e s e circu st a c e s a y h a v e co tribut e d

m n m n

to impr ve c r t a i n bree ds lre a dy e xisti g in

o e a n

Sp i ye t it is c rta i th a t th fi e wooll d
a n, e n e n e

sh e e p w re fou d i th a t cou t r y a t a m ch
e n n n u

ea r l i e r p e riod Str a bo. sp e k i g o f th b e au

,
a n e

ti f l wooll e cloth e s th a t w r e wo r by th e
u n e n

R o m a n s s,
ys th a
a t th e wool
,
w a broug h t f r m s o

T ru d i ta nia i Sp a i n n A f t e r th e c qu. e st o f on

th a t cou try by th e R o a s c lo i s w e re
n m n , o n e

pl an t e d th e r e w h o c a rri e d wit h th e m th e a rt
,
s
42 E ssay on Sh eep .

m a de a simpl e fa rm e r or a pla in m ec h a n ic th e
,
~

, .

m ea n s o f d i ff usi g h i bl ssi gs upo n m a n k i n d

n s e n .

M a y c e n turi e s e l a p s e d a f te r th is i wh ich w e
n n

a re l e f t in th e d a rk a s to th e h istor of a i c ul
y g r

t h re in Sp a i n T h e co n qu e st o f th e cou n tr y
.

b y th e Goths a n d th e subs e qu e n t re d ucti

,
f on o

i t by th e Mo ors tog t h er with th e lo n g w a r

,
e s

betw n th e l a tt e r a n d th e n a ti v e Sp i r ds
ee an a ,

h a v c a st a v e il ov e r t h e ir h istory ; but a th e
e s

M oors w e r e i n d ustri us a g r icultur a l ists a d

o , n

k e pt u p th e ir co n e ctio n with A fric a till th e ir

n

first co q u e st by th e S pa n i a rds it ay be p re
n , m

su e d th a t th e y pursu e d th e pa th m a rk e d o u t
m

by C olu m e ll a It is p rob a bl e how e v e r th a t

.
, ,

d uri n g th a t d is astrous p e riod wh ich pr e c d e d e

th e ir e xpulsio th e fa rth e r improv e m e t o f

n, n

th is u s e f ul r a c e o f sh e e p h a d b e e n e gl e ct e d ; n

a n d a s i n h um a n a ff a irs sc a rc e a n y th i n g is

s t a tio n a ry it is a lso prob a bl e th a t th e y w e re

,

s u ffe r e d to d e g n e r a t e : f or w e fin d
e I h a ve , as

s a id P e dro th e f ourth mor e th th irte e h u n

“

, , an n

d re d y e ars a ft e r th e d ea th o f Colum e ll a reviv ,

i g h is e xp e rim e n ts o n a n e l a rg e d sc a l e a d
n n , n

i t r od u ci g a grea t umb e r f sh e e p from B ar

n n n o

b a r y His e fforts w e e crow n ed with su c c e ss

. r ,

a d Sp a i
n b c a m e i th e fourte e t h c e n tury
n e n n

w h at h e h ad bee
s in th e ti e f th e R o a n s
n m o m ,

fa mous f r th e fi n e n ess o f h e r wool

o T h e r ac e .
 E s say on Sheep . 43

w as g a i n r e n ewe d from A fric a by C a rdi a l

a n

X im e s tw h u n dr e d y a rs a ft e rw a rds Fro
ne , o e . m

th e s e ci r cumst a n c s it is h ig h ly prob abl e th a t e

Sp a i w s h M e ri o r a c e to th mixture f
n o e er n e o

h er n a tiv sh e e p wit h t h os e o f B a rb ry th oug h

e a ,

a o fte a pp e s i h r th ir a tiv e st a t e
( s h n
) t e i n e n ne , n ,

m ay be e qu a l to th a t p rod uc e d from th e u n io n
o f b th o T h is m y a cc u t f th s h ee p f
. a o n or e o

Sp i b i g a t pr s t sup ri r t th
a n e n f B ar
e en e o o ose o

b a r y though p a rt d s c e n ded frfiftf them

,
tn e f
.

T h e wo l f th e B a rb a ry s h e e p s glossy an d
o o 1

fin e (a t l e a s t such a s I h a v e s e of it ) b ut en ,

w a n ts th e curl f Sp an ish wool I m ay h e re o .

m e ti n a f a ct wh ic h n som e Sort supports t h i

n o .
i s

a ss r tio n
e th o u gh a n iso l a ted fa ct o ught n ot
,
.

e r h a ps to s rv e a th e f ou d a tio n for a th e ory

e s n
p .

I h a ve in my flock a e w e
from a B a rb a ry am H er fl e e c e lo n g
r . IS ,

s tr a ight a d fin e
, a d in e v e ry p a rticul a r ex
n , n

c pt th e l a st u n l ik e th e Sp a n ish wool
e I h a ve .

th r ee l a mbs f rom h e r by a M e ri n o ra m ; th e
wool f ea ch f th e s e is n e a rly e qu a l i fin e
o o n

n e ss so ft ss a n d e l astici ty to th t f th e ir
, ne , ,
a o

s ir e, d w ou ld a t l ea st b e t a k e n f r th a t o f a
an o

s e ve n e g h t br ee d M ri o
-
i e n .

I c a ot thi n k with Mr A n d e rso n th a t th e

nn , .
,

fi e wool o f S p a i is d e riv e d f rom th e stock o f

n n

E n gl a n d th ough it m a y be a dmitt e d th a t Bri

,
44 E ssay on Sheep .

t ish h e e p h a v b e i por te d i n to Sp a i n as it
s e en m ,

a pp r s by custo h u
ea tri s th a t E n gl ish m -
o se en e

w oo l w a ls xp rt d t Sp a i wh ic h w a a t
as o e o e o n, s

t h a t ti a a u fa cturi g c u try
m e m and
n
p n o n , su

pli d E gl a d wit h cloth Fo r a y f th e ir

e n n . m n o

m a u fa ctori s th e lo g wool
n f E gl a n d mig h t
e n o n

h v b
a e f u d u s f ul
ee n d it o i gh t a ls h a v e
n e , an m o

b e th ough t d e sir bl t prop ga t e th br e d

en a e o a e e

th t b r it w it h ut a y i t e ti o f d g r a d
a o e , o n n n on e

i g th M r i
n e b r d I t is possibl e th t th e
e no ee . a

on —
l g w oll e d sh e e p o f Sp a i
o which a re c a ll e d n,

Ch i a d a e
o a o e s,
‘
uch l a rge r t h a n th e M
n r m e

ri
'

n o , a re th d e s c e d a ts o f th e E gl ish sh e e p
e n n n ,
‘
m ixe d W th th e comm on sh e e p o f th e co u try
i
.

n .

H d E gl a d poss ss d i th fi ft e th c e tury
a n n e e n e e n n ,

th e fi r c wh ic h is
ne w th e p r id e f Sp a i n
a e no o ,

i t is l a rdl y p o ib l t s ppos e th a t s sh o tly

i
't
ss e o u o r

a ft r ae th e r ig s f H e ry th e igh th
e th e
n o n e ,

br d sh o u ld b so e ti re l y lost a to i d uc th a t
ee e n s n e

p r i c n to imp ert by p r issio o f C h a r l e s th e

o , e m n

fi ft h th r e th us a d Sp is h sh p a d to d is
, e o n an ee , n

e r s e th e m th rough h is ki gdo pl a ci g th m
p n m ,
n e

u d r th c a r a d sup r i te d e c e f m
n e e e n e n n n o co

m i si n rs sp e c i a lly a ppoi te d f t h a t purp s e

s o e n or o .

I f ct it w a s
n a , t till th r e ig o f h i f t h e r
no e n s a

th t wo ll
a cl ths we r e
o a n u f ctur e d
en oin m a

E gl a d t a y e xt t a d
n n o I b l i v we e
n en , n none e e e r

f or m a n y y e a rs a fte r e xporte d from th en c e .

 E ss ay on Sheep . 45
’

U n d e r th es e circumsta c s more a tt ti n n e en o

w uld a tu r lly be p id t th e c a rc a s
o n a d to a o e, an

th qu a tity t h t th qu li ty f th wool
e n an o e a o e .

I sin d w ig h t f fl c th E glis h s h e p
z e an e o ee e e n e ,

g e r ll y sp e ki g e xc e e d t h a t f n y th e r
ne a a n , o a o

p r t f E u r op
a o e .

Sicily ls p ss ss e s a br d f fi e wooll d
a o o e ee o n - e

s h p w h ic h
ee , i gra t l ik th s f Sp i but m e e o e o a n,

a re i f r i r to th e i th e qu a lity f th w l
n e o m n o e oo .

Thos wit h st f th e s h e e p I h a v e s
e, m o in o een

It aly h a v e p e d e t e a rs F r m th is circum
, n n . o

st c e I pre sum e th e y h v b ee lo g e r d m e s
an a e n n o

tic t d th
a e t h os e f Sp i o r t h e r p r ts o f
an o a n o a

Eur p o A d a t h is cou try w a

e . n igi lly
s '
n s or na

s t tl d by th G r ci a s it is h ig h ly pr b bl e
e e e e n , o a

th t th e p r e s e n t r a c e is f rom th e stock
a f th e o

firs t colo ists : fo e xt r a ordi a r y a

n it ay r, n s m

app a r e otwithst a n d i n g th v a rious ch a g e s

, n e n

wh ich t h a t cou try h a u d e rg its a g ic u l

n s n on e, r

ture s e e s a t th pre s t t be w h a t th po ts
m e en o e e

d scrib e it to h a v e b e n tw th u a d y e r s
e e o
‘

o s n a

a
g ;o a d th e impl
n e m e ts f h usb a d y dug n o n r

u
p t Pomp
a e i a a d H e rcul a e um a vid
n e tly n re e n

th e m d e ls o f thos e n w i
o i th vici ity o n u se n e n

o f N a pl e s I co sid r p d t a rs a a p r o f
. n e en en e s o

o f v e r y a ci t d sticity b e c a us e I b e li e
n en om e , ev

a ll wild a i a ls c a rry th i r s
n m re ct ; a n d ost e e m ,

i f n t a ll o f th em h a v e th e p ow e r o f movi g
o ,
n
46 E ssay on Sheep .

th e m to th e poi n t f ro m wh ich th e sou n d is "

d e r i v e d W h e t hey c as e to be th e ir o w n
. n e

p r o te t rs a n d re ly upo n m a n both fo r d e fe c e
c o ,
t
n

a d support
n th e rg a n s give n th e m with a
,
- o

vie w to th e s e ob j e cts a re gra d u a lly imp a ir e d , ,

a d th e d e
n bil ity wh ich re sults from th e ir i n a c
tio n ch a g e s th e ir ve ry form
n .

T h e s h e e p o f Fr a n c e a n d G e rm a n y h a v e
n ot h i g p a rtic u l a rly worthy o f n otic e
n if w e ,

e xc e pt th i pro v e ts d with i a sh rt
m em en m a e n o

e ri d by th e i trod uctio n o f Sp a n ish sh e p n

p o e ,

on w h ich I sh a l l h a v e occ a sio n to s pea k more

a t l a rg e h e r ea ft e r T h e commo n s h e p o f th e
. e

cou n try h a v e in g e n e r a l co ars e fl e e c e s a n d n o t ,

v e ry h ea vy o e s T ho e f R u s illo n a d
‘

n . s o o n

B e rry ust h ow e v e r b e xc e p te d T h e first

m , , e .

i i som e d e gr e e mix e d with th M e ri n o a d

s n e , n

p a rt a k e f th e i r qu a l iti e s ; a d th e wool o f
o n

B e rry is g e e r a lly e stim a t e d a t a bout e ighte e n

n

c e ts th e pou d wh il e th a t o f th e commo
n n , n

flocks d o e s o t e xc e e d s e ve n c e ts I m a n y
n n . n

p a rts o f th e cou try th e ir c a rc a s e s are l a rg en

a d h e a vy ; but th a t h e ld in th e h igh e st e sti

n

a tio is fro Britta n y wh ich is extre m e l y

'

m n m ,

s
m a ll but th e b e st fl a vour e d mutto n I h a v e e v e r
,

m e t with I Fre n ch Fl a n d e rs th e y h a ve a
. n

l a rg e r a ce o f lo g wooll e d sh e e p T h e y a re
n -
.

n o t ver n um e rous r q u iri n g rich e r p a stur e s

y e ,
 E s s ay on Sheep . 47

an d b ett e r tre a tm e n t t h a n sh e e p g en e r a lly e r

c i in Fr a n c e B e fore I q u it Fr a c e i t y
‘

e ve . n m a

be pro p e r to sp e a k f th e i t r d ucti n i n to t h t o n o o a

cou n try o f th M e ri o s h e e p a d o f t h ir
e n , n e

gre a t i p r ov e m e n t
m .

It h a v i g b e e f ully a sc e rt a i n ed by a v a ri e ty
n n ,

o f e xp e rim en ts p a tro iz e d by th e a dmi n istra

, n

ti n
o , d c an d uct d by lig h t d g i ltu
on e en ene a r cu

ra l i t th a t th e M r i o s h p ig h t b li
'

S s, e n ee m e ac c

m a te d in Fra n c e witho u t a y c h a g e in t h e ir
, n n

w ol a pplic atio n w a m a d e by L e w is th e ix
o ,
s s

tee th to th e Ki n g f Sp a i
n f o r pe o to n, rm ts s 1 o n

e xport f ro m th e c e a umb e r o f M e i o es
n n r n .

Th is w a n o t o l y gr a n te d b u t ord e rs w e r e
s n ,

giv e by th e Sp a n ish M a rch th a t th e y shoul d

n on

b e s e l e ct e d f rom th e fi e st flocks i Sp a i n In n n .

th e y e a r 1 7 8 6 four h u d r e d r a ms a d e w e s n n

a r r iv e d i n Fr an c e u d e r th e c a r e , f Sp a n ish
n o

sh p h rds Th e s e a re s a id to h a v e b ee n s
“

e e . o

much sup e rior to a y th t h a d b e fore b ee i n

'

a n n

tro du c e d a s o t to a dmit o f a n comp a riso n

, n
y
b t w e e n th e m wh ich will easily b e cr e d ite d
e ,

by th os e w h k n ow th e d i ffe r e n c e b e tw ee
o n

p ick e d s h e e p a n d a wh ol e flock t a k tog e th e r en ,

e v e n wh n th e sh e e p a e o f
e r a c e But th e r one .

M e in oe s d i ffe r e ss e ti lly from e a ch oth e r e v e

r n a n

i n Sp a i n ; th os e o f C a stil e u it e siz e a n d b e a uty n

to fi n en ess of wool ; th e L eo n es e a n d th e S e go
48 E ssay on Sheep .

i s e qu al th e m i th e l a tte r p a rticul a r but

v an n ,

f a ll fa r s h rt i th f r o r ; but th e s h e p f
n e o m e e o

th e E cu r i a l a re th e fi e s t in Sp a i
s Th dif n n . e

f r c e b t w e e th e M ri oe th a t C o p s th e
e en e n e
“

n s m o e

n a tio a l flocks o f Fr a c e a n d thos e l a t e ly i

n n n
m

p o r t d fr e Sp a i u n d r th e tr e a ty o f B a l e
om n, e

( t h oug h th s e a lso pick

e d s h e e p ) is so strik
a re e ,

i g th t w
n , a h r dly a ttri b ut i t s l l y t th
e c an a e o e o e

c a r a d a tt ti w h ic h th e y h a v e
e n en on d in e r c e t ve

F r a c th oug h uc h is d ubtl ss d e to t h is
n e, m
‘

o e u

circu st c e Fortu a te ly fo Fr a c e th e im
m an . n r n ,

p r ov e t i sh e e p b gu u d e r L wis th six
em n n e n n e e

te e th w a co nti u e d thro gh a r e volutio

n s n ih u n,
'

w h ich a l ost e v e ry oth r us e f ul i stitutio w a

m e n n s

i volv e d i rui
n A com itte e o f a gric u l ture
n n . m -
«

wa f r s d i th e Co e tio a d u d r th ir
o m e n nv n n, n n e e

p r ot ctio th e a lior a tio f th e M e ri o flocks

e n m e n o n

h a ppily pr gre ss e d From t h e s e flocks a

o . num

be r o f ra s a d we s a e a m u ally s ld a f te r
n e r nn o ,

th e fi s t a re pick e d u t t k e e p up th origi a l
ne o o e n

stock It is v ry co c e iv a bl e th a t t h is a tt tio n
. e n en

must co tribut e gre a tly t th improv

n t of o e em en

th e ir stock It is re m rk a bl th a t th ough in
. a e,

p r su c e f a a r ticl e in th e tre a ty f B a l e
u an o n o ,

fi ve t h us a d Sp a ish sh e e p h av e b ee i tro
o n n n n

du e d by th g v e r n e t a n d a gr e a t u b e r
c e o m n ,
n m

by i d i v id u l
n d f r th e t e r
a s, an f tw e n ty y e a rs o m o

ra ms a d ew e s h a ve b e e n a n n u a lly sold from

n
 stre gth ; or i th e fi e e ss l en gth so ft n es s
n n n n , , ,

stre n gt h a d a bu d c e f th e fle e c e T h e
, n n an o .

m a n u fa cture rs a d d ea l ers in w ol w h o c a e
n o ,
m

i n umb e rs to R a mbou ill e t th is y ea r

n

to p urch a s e u a n imously a gre e d to th is fa ct

, n ,

a t th e v e ry tim e th a t th e y w e r e c o m b g to m m

k ee p d w th p r ico n The p a r iso I

e . e c om n

h a v f a d wi th th
e n e s t sc r upulous a tte n
e m o

tio b twe e th is wool a d th e h ig h e st p ic e d

n, e n n r

o f t h a t dr w fro
a Sp a i a ut h r iz e s
n m to n, o m e

d cl a re th a t o f R a mbouill t sup e rior ; u l ess

e e n ,

a s th e y p r e t e d th e b e st o f th e Sp a n i s h woo l
n ,

is t i port d n to Fr a c e but r e s e rv e d f r
no m e i n , o

E n gl a d a d Holl a d ; an a ss e rtio n wh ich is

n n n

c e rta i ly v e ry improb a bl e a d wh ich i f tru e

n , n , ,

would a rgu e a gr ea t su p e i o ty n our m a u r rt i n

f a ctori e s ; si n c e th e sup e riority f ou r fi e o n

cloths ve r th os e f a n y oth e r a t o n h a
o o n i s

n e ve r b ee c o test e d All th e wool o f Sp a i n

n n .

th a t I h a v e e x a mi e d ot e xc pti g th e n , n e n

prim e L e o e s e th e m st st e m e d o f a y
n , o e e n ,

a p p e a r e d to e to co n t a i
m uc h more j ar n m

t h a th a t o f R a bou ill e t E v e ry t h i g s e e ms
n m . n

e vi ce th a t w e s h ll soo n tot a lly b a is h

“
t
o n a n

this h a r d i ntra ct abl e h a ir h urt f ul to th e , so

m a u f cture from our fl e c es Al ost a ll

n a , e . m

th e fl ee c e s f th e r a ms f tw y e a rs a d u p
‘

o o o n

wards w e igh from tw e lve to thirteen p ou n ds ;

,
 E ssay on Sheep . 1

but th e m ea n w e ight t aki g ra ms a d e w e , n n s

tog e th e r h a n o t quit a tt a i e d to igh t

“
, s e n e

pou n ds a fte r d d ucti g th ta gs a n d th e

, e n e

“
w ol f th e b lly w h ic h a re s ld s p r t ly
o o e ,
o e a a e .
”

It is p r op r t obs e rve h e r t h t th e F r en ch
e o e, a

p ou d n is bout o ae tw e l f t h h ea vi
n e r
-
t h a t h e n

E gl ish ; but a t th e s a m e tim t n ot e th a t

n e o , ,

fr om th g e ra l custo f f ldi g th s h p
e en m o o n e ee

in F r c e f f d i g t h e m i f ll w
an , o ee n d n a o s, an

wi t e ri g th e m i hous es th y a e v e ry dirty;
n n n , e r

a d t h e ir fl e e c e s o f cours e propo r tio n a bly h e a

n

vi e r : th e loss i wa sh i g is a bout 6 0 pe c e n t
n n r .

s o th a t th e a v e r a g w e ight of th e r a m s fl ee c e ’
e

would b wh e n w a sh e d a d scour e d about pix

e, n ,

Am eric an pou n d excl u siv e o f tags a n d b ell y

s,

Wo ol .

B e for e I q uit E urop e it m ay b e prop e r to

ta k ea cursory vi e w f th e E glish sh e e p si c e
o n , n ,

n e xt to Sp a i o cou try i
n, n th a t qu a rt e r o f th e
n n

globe is c e l ebra te d f r its wool ; o r is th e re

so o n

an
y th a t h a v e p a id s much a tt e ntio o to t h n e

i p r ov e m e t f th e ir stock ; i so uch t h a t
m n o n m

Y ou g i h is A
n , n als o f Agricultur nn a ss e rts e, ,

th a t B k w e lla i th
e y e a r 1 7 8 9 w s i th
, n e ,
a n e

re c e ipt f th r tho u s a d gui a s a y ea r fo r th e

o ee n ne

h ir f ra s s ev e n f w h ic h b u gh t h i two
e o m , o ro
‘

th us a d gui n e as A spirit lik t h is a tte d d

o n . e ,
n e

w it h pro p or tio n a t e w e a l th could o t f il i, n “

a , n
52 E s say on Sheep .

an
y cou tr y n ct th
, e most im p ort a n t i m
to e ffe

p e
ro v t
m en s I t w uld. b t dious a n d u n ne
o e e

c e ssa
y tor e n t e r i to mi n u te e um e r a tio
n a f n n o

a l l th e v a ri e ti e s pr d uc e d by d i ff e r o t cr s s en os e ,

a d oth e r a ccid e n t a l c a us e s in
n k i gd m w h ic h a n o

c t a i s such a v a ri ty f soil a d c l i t e s
on n e o n m a a

G r t B r it i a d i wh i h th f r rs h a v e
ea -
a n, n n c e a m e

e d a
n e u r d to co n f rm th e br e d to th i r si tu
vo e o e e

a ti on ; d th r
an a t h r a e I h a v e a lr eea dy
,
s no

tic ed m y f th an i o p a p r r ad t a d
em n a e e o n

publish e d by th e Soci e ty o f Us f ul Ar ts A e . h

de n
rs o d ivid e s th n a ti ve Bri tish s h e p i n to e e

th r e sorts ; th e High l a d br ee d or r t h e r th e
e n , a

br d f th e W e st r Isl a ds t h os e in th e High
ee o e n n ,

l a ds b e i g so fa a d ult er a t d a o t to be f u d
n n r e s n o n

i t h i r rigi a l purity
n e o Th e s s h e e p t h ough
n . e ,

d el ic a t i a pp e a r a c e a re sm a ll a d h a rd y
e n n , n .

T h e wool is d isti guish e d by a silky gloss to n

th e e ye a d a p e c ul i a r so ft n e ss to th tou ch
, n e .

It is t f rizzl e d l ik e th e Sp a is h but r a th e r
no n ,

l o g e r a d g e tly w a v e d
n ,
n n Whe c p a re d . n om

with th e b e s t Sp a is h wool i th e Lo n do n m ar n n

k e t it w, f ou d to b e fi e r in th e p r po r ti n
as n n o o

o f sev to fi e St cki gs h a v e b e e a d e f
en v . o n n m o

it t Ab e r d e e th a t sold a t fi e a n d i gui e as
a n v s x n

a pai r Th . wool f th is br ed h ow e e r i
e o e ,
v , s

e i th e a tu r a lly o r by a d ult e a tio

r n , v e ry much r n,

m ix e d with h a ir a to r e n d e r th e se
j
r ar o , so s
 E ss ay on Sheep . 53

p a ra tio n v ry di fficult T he s co d is th
e s h rt . e n e o

w ol l d h p of E gl a d a d W a l s th t yi l d
o e s ee n n n e , a e

th cl th i g wo l f t h s th e r a e r y
e o n o : o e e e r ve

g r t v a r i e ti
ea F w h w v r th t I h a v es . et e o e e a e m

wi th yi ld b tte r wo l th th c e e o sh p o an e om m n ee

o f our ow cou try l a d i g e n e ra l th i r w l

n n ,
at
n n e oo

is m uch w rs e wit h th e e xc ptio f o n e or o ,

e n o

tw r c s w h s fl c sa s r lig t
/

o a e , y h t d
o e h ee e re v e r o an ,

an d l l t b ut f r ty ig h t
se a t th a p u d
o o -
e c en s e o n .

T h e Sou th Dow n is a t pr e s e n t th e f vou r it a e,

n xt to th e L e ic e st r sh ir e
e B k e w l l br e d e or a e e .

T h Sou th Dow
e both fo siz e qu a tity a n d n, r , n ,

qu a li ty f w ol v e r y much r e s mbl e s th b st
o o , e e e

o f s h e p i th e h a n ds o f g d f r rs
ou r e n oo a m e .

T h e ir fl e c e s w e igh fr om t h r a d a h a l f
e ee n

to four pou ds a d s e ll a t th irty c ts p e n , n en r

pou d Ne ith e r o f th e se br e e ds yi e ld wool f

n . o

su ffici n t fi n e ss for bro dcloth s f th e first

e ne a o ,

s c d d t h ird qu a liti es ; t h e s e a e a ll m a d e
e on , an r

f ro mSp is h wo l f di ffe re n t d egree s o f fi e

an o o n

n e ss with ut a d ixture O f th is wool a r

, o m . ne

s v e illio n s o f po u n ds a r a n u a lly i p r te d
e n m e n m o

i to Brit a i n T h e third d isti ct b ree d f E g

n . n o n

l d a d wh ich is p culi a rly t h ir w i th e

an , n e e o n, s
‘

s h e p t h at c a r ry lo g wo l fit f co bi g ;
e n o or m n

a n d i n th is r a c e th e y e xc e l I b e li e ve v e r y , , e

I s p ea k o f th e Nort h ern , n ot being w e ll a q

c uainte d wi h t th e S h
out ern

S tates .
54 4
E ssay on Sheep .

oth e r p a rt o f th world T h e w o ol o f som e e .

o f th is fa ily i v r y co a r s e n d o ly fit fo r
m s e , a n ,

bl k e ts d c a r p ts a n d s e lls i E gl a d a t
an an e , n n n

a b uto i e c en ts th e pou d ; but th th sh ee p

n n n en e

a e e xtr e
r e ly l a rg e
m a d th e i fl e e c e s propor
, n r

tion abl
y so a v e r a gi g a bout tw e lv e pou ds th
, n n e

flock rou d a d so e h a v b e n k ow to
n , n m e e n n

c rr y b v tw ty pou n ds Y ou n g
a a o e en ti . m en ons

a fl ee c f tw ty s e v e pou n ds
e o en Ot h e rs d
-
n .
, an

m re v al u abl r a c e s f l g wooll e d sh e e p
o e o on -
,

b r fi w h ite silky fl e e c e from wh ich th e

ea a ne ,

fi e st w orste d a d c b le t a re m a d e Th is ra c e
n n am s .

i v e r y um r us a d t h e ir wool y b
“

s n e o , a n
e c n m o

s id d
e re th tru st a pl e o f British wool
as e e Up o n .

th is br d B k e w e ll h a e g
ee a ra f t e d h is c e l e b ra t s n
’

e d st ck o o r th e w L ic ste sh ir e br e e d T h e
,
e n e e r .

p
r i cipl
n e upo n wh ich h e f orm d h is syst e m w a s e ,

th at thos e i a ls w e r most v a lu a bl e whic h

an m e

c a r ri e d t h e ir fl h U po n th e most v a lu a bl e
~

es ,

p rts a d w re a t th e s a e ti e a i t a i n e d
a ,
n e m m m n

with th l e s t f d W ool w s t h is obj e ct

e a oo . a no ,

a d
n cco r d i gly h i s h e p e f th e lo g
a n s e ar o n

wooll e d br e d wit h wool f od e r a te l e gth

e ,
o m n

a d
n e d iu
m fi e n e ss a n d se lls f ni e p c e
m n , or n -
en

ste rli g Fa t u po th e rump a d ribs h e c n

n . n n o

sid e r s as m r importa n t th a t ll w
o e d ac n a o , an

c or di gl y h h
n p d uc e d s h e p
e as wh ich it
ro e on

i s th e r e f or m e d fi e or ix i n ch es th ick v His s .
 E ssay on Sheep . 55

s h e p are howe v e r th a t a ccou n t l ess v a lu

i

e , , on ,

a bl e to th e e pi cur t h a t th l bo u re r wit h e n o e a ,

whom t h e y i s s r t supply th e pl a c e f
n om e o o

p o r k .H i sists t h t t h
e y r
n e qui r l ss f o d a e e e o

t h a th r s h e p ; y t i a co p ra ti t ial
n o e e e , n m a ve r

m a d e b e twe e t h e m a d a M ri o ra by n n e n m

Y ou g i t pp r d th t th y
n , a t m
ea er a d a e ea o e, n

g a i d l w igh t th th M r i i th p r o
ne ess e an e e n o, n e

p r tio f t h r e et tw S a ll bo e s a st ra igh t
o n o o , o . m n ,

b ck a d b ro a d ch i e with s h ort l e gs a th e
a , n n , , re

f a vourit e poi n ts in t h is e w br e e d ; a d i d e d n n , n e ,

th e y co n tribu e v e ry m uch to i prov e th e a p m

ea a c e
r n f th e a i a l a d s h ould b e sough t
o n m n
p ,

i w h a t v e r br e e d w e cultiv a te if th e y c a be
n e , n

re co cil e d n with th e oth r e ss ti l q u a liti e en a es

th a t w e s e k i sh e e p O f th e a dv a t g f
e n . n a e o

sh r t l e gs I h a v e h ow e v r gre a t d ubt i a
o , e , o n

c u t r y wh ic h bou ds i s ow So m e j udg
o n a n n n .

m t m ay b f o r m e d o f th e a tur f Br itish
en e n e o

flocks by th e a v e r a g e pric e s f th e ir a tiv e o n

wo l w h ich Gov Pown al in a l tt r to Ar th u r

o , .
, e e

Y u g st a t e s a f oll o ws : Co a rs s e v
o n , s d a e e n an

h a l f p c e commo e ight a n d h l f p c e
-
en , n a a -
en ,

fine l v p c e th e w h l e fl c e ; at th t
e e en - en o ee a

ti t h y p id i sh illi gs a d six p e c st r
m e e a s x n n -
n e e

li g p pou d f Sp a is h wo l a n d ow
n er n or n o , n

a
p y s e v en h illi gs a d t h rs e p e c e n n e -
n .

It woul d a lmost h a v e b een u n n ec ess a ry t '

o
 56
“

E ssay on Sheep .

n otic e th e Am ri ca n bre ds f sh e ep s i n c e e e o ,

thos w h will i n te r s t t h ms e lv s su ffici e n tl y

e o e e e

i th e subj e ct to r e a d th is e ss a y c a h a rdly b e
n , n

u a cqu a i n te d with th e bre e ds o f th e r n tiv e

n i a

cou n try h a d it n o t b e en th t th r e ki ds f
, a e n o

sh e p till l ate ly u n otic e d h a v e a ttra cte d th e

e , n ,

publ i c tt ti ; th O tt r th A rl i gto n
a en on e e , e n ,

a d th e S it h I l d h p T h e Otte r sh e ep
’
n m s s an s ee .
,

i t is s a id w r e first d isco v e re d i n s m e isl a d

, e o n

on o u a st n co a st
r e wh e r e I c a n ot pr e cis l y
er , n e

a d f r om th e n c e th e y h a v spr e a d to th e e
s a
y , n

a dj oi n in g st a t e s T h e s h e e p o f th is br e e d a re
.

ra t h e r lo n g bodi e d th a n l a rg e a n d w ill w e igh

-
, ,

l ik e th e oth e r sh e e p o f th e cou n try a bout fif ,

t e e pou ds a qu a rte r w h e n kill e d from gr a ss

n n .

T h e ir wool is f a m e dium fi n e e ss a d a m e
o n , n

di um l e gth ; it is n ith e r prop e rly short cl oth

n e -

i g wool
n or is it ,
f su ch l e gth a s to b e a d
n o n

v a n ta e u l
g y comb
o ed s But wh a t p a rtic ul a rly.

ch a ra ct e riz e s th e se sh ee p a n d from which to , ,

g e th e r with th e l e gt h o f th e ir bod i e s t h e y n ,

prob a bly took th e ir n a m e is th e xtre m e sh ort , e

n e ss f th e ir l e gs wh ich are a lso tur n e d out i n

o ,

such a n e r a to r e n d e r th e
a m n rick e ty Th e y
s n .

c a n ot u n or Jump a n d e ve n w a lk with som e

n r ,

d i fficul ty Th y a pp ea r a if t h e ir l e gs h a d
. e s

b e e brok e n a d e t by a n aw k w a rd surg e o n
n , n s .

T m e th e r e is so m e th i n g so d isgusti n g i n th e
o
58 E s s ay on Sheep .

d e scrib es a s b e i g v e ry l a rge a n d w ell forme d

n ,
,

c a rryi g wool of gr t l gt h but f a co a rs e

n ea en , o

sta pl eT h is stock i t e rm ix e d with th e B k e

. , n a

w e ll a re th e sourc e from wh ich th e fin e A l in g

, r

to n sh e p a re d e riv e d ; s
e e o f wh ich h e s a ys om , ,

c a rry wool fou r t e e i ch e s i l e gth a d a e n n n n , n r

f o r m e d upo th e B a k ew e ll n d el I h a v e n e v e r m o .

s e t h e s h e e p but f rom M r C ti d ip
e n es ,
. us
’

s s e sc r

tio a d f r
n, n th pr d c f th w l a t th e
om e o u e o e oo

p ublic s h e a r i gs I h a v e n do bt th a t t h e y a re
n ,
o u

a v a l u bl e r a c e a d s u ch a m e rit th e a tt e n tio n
a , n s

o f th os e w h os farms yi e l d a go d rich bit e o f

e o

gra ss ; f u p or y ot h r I w ould
o n an e v r re m e n e co

m e d lo g wo ll e d sh e e p T h e s a mpl f wool
”

n n -
o . e o

wh ich Mr Custis s e t e f ro th is stock pos

. n m m

se ss e d v ry i gre d i t wh ic h is e st ee m e d in
e e n en

combin g w ol It w a fi e for th sort so f t

o . s n e , ,

silky a d b uti f ully wh it

, n eaI t i a d mir a bly e . s

c a lcul a te d f h s e c a b le t s e rg e s a n d oth e r
or o , m s, ,

fin e wo r st e d fab i k ; a d i t w uld b e pity to r c s n o a

e e i t d iv e t d t oth er
r e bj c ts or to than
s
y o e o e ,

m a ki g f li n cl t h s f r wh ic h i t a pp e a rs t
n o e o , o o

m e l e ss a d pt e d It is h owe v e r
a a tt e r
. f , , m o

su r p r is e t h a t P e si a ra sh uld be th e p a
, a r n m o

r t st ck from w h ic h th is v l u a bl e br e d is
en o a e

d e r iv e d T h e wool o f P e r si a h a a lw a ys b e n
. s e

co sid e r e d a
n o g th e fi e st i th e wo r ld ;
s am n n n

th e w h i te s ells e a ly u p o
p a with n th a t of r n a r
 E ssay on Sheep . 59

S pai n at Lo do a rk e t a n d th e d s
th e n n m , re om e

w h t h igh e r
a E i th e r t h r. must h v b e e a e e en

s o e mista k e
m t th pl c fr o wh ich th e
as o e a e m

ra m ca m Pe rsi
e, or t p two d isti ct
a m us
‘
o ss e s s n

b r ds f s h e p : i d e d it is t i p r b bl
ee o e n e , no m o a e

t h a t th e south e r p a rts f Pe r si a u po n th I
n o ,
e n

di a O c e a
n a d Gul fn, f O r us m a y co t a i
n o m ,
n n

th e l r g a co a r s e w oll d s h e p t h t
e -
o e e a a re c om

ly f u d i A f r ic a F th S i th I l d ’
m on o n n . or e m s s an

w ool w e a e a lso i d e bt e d to th e r s e a rc h s
r n f e e o

M C u ti ; f rom w h os e v a lu a bl e pa ph l t I
r s s s m e

h a v e e xtr a ct e d th e followi g a ccou t f it n n o

I c e w t sp e a k f S it h s Isl a d wool
om no o o m
’
n ,

a discov e ry f r m wh ich will a ris e th e h ppi e st

o a

eff cts t my co u try a n d yi e ld th

e o most
n , e

gra t e f ul s n s at io s to ys e l f T h is isl a d
e n m . n

( wh ic h i th e prop e rty
s f Mr Custis ) li es in o .

th e A tl a tic Oc a n imm e di a t e ly a t th e e ast

e n,

te r c a p e f V irgi i a a d co n t a i ns b e twee n
n o n , n

th re a d f u r thous a d a cr e s T h e soil
e n o n ,

“
th ough s dy is i m a n y p arts e xtr em e ly
an , n

r ic h a d prod uctiv e o f a uccul e t h e b ag e

, n s n r ,

wh ich supports th e stock at a ll s ea so s A bout n .

on e h al f f th e isl a d is i wo d w h ic h is
o n n o ,

pi e c d w ith gl a d e s ru i g p r ll e l with th e
r e nn n a a

sea a d, f s v r a l m il s i
n o xt e t T h s e
e e e n e n . e

gl ad e s g r lly w e t a d b e i n g co pl t
a re ene a , n m e e

l y sh e lt e r ed by th e wood o n e ith e r sid p e .

e, r
 60 E ssay on Sheep .

r th e ir v eg e tatio n in a gre at m easu re

s e ve

thr ugh th e wi te r a d th e re b y yi e ld a sup

o n , n

port to th e stock Al on g th e sea c o ast a re

.

a lso a bu n d a n t s co p e s f p a stur a g e p roduci g

o , n

a sh ort gr a ss i summ e r which is p e culi a rl y

n ,

gra te f ul to th e p al a t e o f most a n im als a n d ,

p a rtic ul a ly to s h p T h e l gth o f th i
r so ee . en s

isl a n d is e s tim a te d a t f ourte e n mil es wh ic h ,

giv s t h a t v a ri e ty a n d ch a ge f p as tur e o
e n o s

n e c e ss a ry to th e s ste m o f sh e e p f a rmi n g
y .

W ith i n it a re v a rious shrubs a nd plan ts w h ic h ,

th e a n im a l a pp ea rs to brows e on w ith gr e a t

r l ish p a rticularly th e myrtl e bush e s with

e , ,

which th e isl a n d a bou n d T h e a cc e ss to s .

s alt a lso forms a m a te ri a l fe a ture i th e m a y n n

a ttribut e s w h ich Smith s Isl a d poss e ss e s

’
n ,

T h e origi o f th e Smith s Isl a d sh e e p c a n

’
n n

n o t b e pr e ci se ly a sc e rt a i n e d but th e y a e , r

“
s uppos e d to b e th e i n d ig e n a l r a c e o f th e cou n

try put th e r e o a bout twe t y y ea rs si n c e a n d

, n n ,

improv e d by th e h a d f n a tu e W h e w e
n o r . n

c m p a r e Smith s Isl a d wo l wit h th e a tiv e

o
’
n o n

w ool o f th e cou n try a t l a rg e w e a re lost i n ,

a st ish m e n t a t th e wo d e rf ul i n te r p osi tio

on n n

o f pro id e n c e i our b eh a l f w hich s e r v e s to

v n ,

sh ow wh a t b en e fits w e j oy d h w littl e
e n , an o

w e h a v e e sti a t d th e gi f ts T h e S ith s
’
m e . m

Isl an d wool is w ithout qu estio n o n e o f th e

, ,
 E ssay on Sheep . 61

fi n e st in th e World a d h a e xcite d th e pr a is e, n s

a d a sto ishm e n t o f a ll w h
n n h a v e s e n it T o o e .

r e c a pitul ate th e v a r ious pi io s giv e f i t o n n n o s

m er its is u c e ss a ry It ly r
nne i s t be . on em a n o

“
j udg d i E urop w h it h e r a sp e ci n h a
e n e, m e s

b e e s e t to d e te rmi n e its v al ue wh e
n n ,
n c om

p ar e d with th f ous M ri o h ith rto th e am e n , e e

u riva ll e d a te i l i th wo ll
n m r a a u fa n e o en m n c

tu r T h e Smit h s Isl a n d is g r t d al
’
e . a ea e

l ge r t h a th e Sp a n ish b e i ng i f ull growth

on n , n

f rom five to i e i n ch e s i l gth a d i

n n n en , n n

som e i sta c e s mor e I qu antity it is a lso

n n . n

v a stly sup e r io r a th e sh e e p yi e ld twic e a

, s s

m uch a d i som e i st a c e s more A d

,
n n n n . n ,

l a stly th si e a n d figu e f th e a n im a l a d
, e z r o

mits o f comp a r iso b e g high ly i fa v u r

no n, in n o

f th e Smith s Isl a n d T h e o ly r e m a i i g
’
o . n n n

qu sti is th t xtur
e on I f th e h l e i
e e is e .
’

r no

fi e r in gr a i th e S ith s Isl a n d is so fi e a
n n, m
’
n s

to a swe r e v e ry purpos e t wh ich th oth e r

n o e

c a n b e a p p ropri t d a d uch l a rg i
a e , n so m er n

qu a tity a to yi ld a b e tte r p r fit to th e b ee
n s e o r ~

d e rs N cl th wh ich th M ri
. o o a n fa c e e no m u

ture s wi ll b disg r c e d by th e i t r ductio f

e a n o n o

th e Smit h s Isl a n d ; a d a y f a b ic k
’
m a n m n r s

fa tu e d h y th e e a t a gr a t p r ic e
'

nu c r on be e , c an

a n u fa ctur e d f th Smith s Isl a d t uc h

’
m o e n a m

l ess T h S ith s Isl a d is a white a s o w

e m
’
n s s n ,
62 E ss ay on Sheep .

'

and
p y so t
e rfe c tl y s il k
f t th '
e touch a n d an d o ,

of d e l ic a te gra i M Custis a dds th a t n .

”
r. ,

t h e s s h e e p a re shor n twic e a y ea r I h a v e
e ;

writte to h im to k now w h y th a t u n commo n

n

m od e o f sh e a ri g h a s b e e pursu e d H e i
n n . n

f orms m e th a t h e would i qu ir e a d a sw e r y n n n m

qu e ry ; but I h a v e t y t b f a vour e d with

no e ee n

th e i f orm a tio n I wi s h o n th is im p orta n t s ub

n

j ec t

Mr Custis ot h a vi n g m e n tio n e d in h is p a m
. n

p h l e t th e qu a n tity o f wool sh or a t e a ch tim e n ,

I a e n a bl e d in p a r t t o do it fro m o n e o f th e
m
-

l e t t s w h ic h h e h a do n e
er e th fa vour to
s m e

write e H e s ays th e be t o f th e s e sh ee p h a v e
m . s

y i e ld e d f our pou n ds a t a sh e a ri g m a ki g a n n , n

a ggr e g a t e f e ight p u ds pe y a r
o o It a pp e a r s
n r e .

to m e Mr Custis is n t f ully i f orm e d e ith e r o f

. o n

th e fi e e ss or th e qu a n tity o f wool produc e d

n n

by th e improv e d M e r i n o w h e h e su p p s e s ,
n o

th a t e i gh t pou n ds o f u n w a sh e d wo l fr th e o om

b t o f h is sh e p is
es ore th a d oubl th e p r o
e m n e

d uc e of th M ri o I h a v e s h or fr o
e e n . e n m on

fo
y M
m ri o r a s
e f n th e i prov
m e d Fr ch
o m en

br d e ight a nd a h a l f pou ds f u w s h d
ee , n n o n a e

w o l a d f rom a
o , n t h e r s e v pou ds a d th re e
no en n n

qu a rte rs ; t h ough my p stu r s b e i g ext en siv a e n e,

m
y sh ee p k pt f r e , f r o
e filt h i t
eh e wi t e r m n n ,

a re r e m a rk a bly cl e a wh e th e y c n e to b e n om
 E ss ay on S heep . 63

shor n I Fra n c from tw elv e to th irte e n pou ds

. n e, n

is s a id to b e th e a v r ag fl e e c e f th e r a e e o m s

f orm th e a tio a l flock ; but th

n th e ir sh e e p
n en a re

v e ry d i r ty f th r a s ,
s I h av
or tio e d I
e e on e m en n .

sh ould a l s o dd th a t th e pric e f my M e ri o
a ,
o n

w ol h a ris f rom o n e d ll a r a d twe n ty fi

o s en o n -
ve

c e n ts a t wh ich I sold wh e n I wrote to Mr

, .

Cus tis t tw d ol l a rs Si c th h tt r s a d
, o
'

o . n e e a e n

C l th i r s h v
o e x i d it t x tu r f r ty f ur
a e e am ne s e e, o -
o

and e h a l f y a rds
on -
f fi clos e wov e clot h o ne -
,

f orty fiv i c h e wid e a it c m e f r m th e loom

'

-
e n s , s a o ,

h a v e b e e m a d e f rom sixt e e pou ds a d thr ee

n n n n

qu a rte rs f it o .

I h a v e give th es e xtra cts f ro M r C tin e m . us s s

’

v a lu bl e p a p h l e t b c a us I thi k it i p rta t
a m , e e n m o n

th t th e cou t r y s h uld k ow it r e s urc s a n d

a n o n s o e ,

b e e n abl e d to s e l e ct a stock a d a pt d to th e r s il e i o

an d t th e ir w a ts
o I c a ot howe v e r gre n . nn , , a e

with h i m i s ti t ( fa a I c a form
n en m en as r s n

mi e f rom th s a pl e h e s e t e ) th a t th
n e m n m , e

S ith s Isl a d wo l c a b e i t r od uc e d i to a y
m
’
n o n n n n

o f th m an u fa ctur e s i w h ich th e M e ri
e wo ol n no

is us d It is so ft wh ite a d silky but i th e r

e .
, , n , ne

so fi or ft th e M e ri n o wo l Mr Custis
ne so as o . .

h a s,h ow e v e r t a k th e pr p r ,
e t h d to a en e e m o s

c e rt i its v alu e by s e d i g s a mpl e s t E urop e

a n , n n o ,

a d will
n I trust f ur is h th e p ublic with th e
, , n

r sul t o f h is i n quiri e s
e I c a n ot omi t this o c . n
64 E ssay on Sheep .

c a sio n to expre ss th e h ig h o p i n io which I in n ,

com o w ith v r y th p e rso n e n t e rta i o f

m n e e o er , n

M C u ti p a triotism a n d o f h i a n im a te d
r . s
’
s s , s

e x e rtio n s f th e i mprov e m or t o f th is most en

'

imp rt a t b r a ch f our rura l e co n omy

o n n o .

T h e r e still r e m a i s a br e d f sh e e p to b e n e o

n otic e d wh ich ight i d e d or e prop e rly

, m n e m

h av b e een m —
tio e d b e f ore th T h i b t r
en n e e o

C a ssi r s h p T h e s a s a id t c rr y fi n e r
m e e ee . e re o a

wool th a th os e f Sp a i ; but f r m th e ir re mot

n o n o e

i la i d situ a tio n th e y a re littl e k ow n thoug h

n r n ,

I th i n k I h a v e b e e n i for d th a t o w a s n m e ne

brought i to E gl a d e ith r by Lord Cor w a lli

n n n e n s

or th e M a rq u is f VV e lle le y “We a y fo rm o s . m

som e j u dg e t f th e fi e n e ss o f th e ir wool b y
m n o n

th e sh a wls t h t a re i port d fra I n d ia a n d m e om ,

w h ich w h a v e whi si c a lly c a ll e d c a m e l s

’
e m

h a i sh a wls Th s e fi e cl oths a re m a d e f r
r . e n o

turb a n s a d a re o f tw o sorts ; th e fi n e st I b e
, n ,

l ie ve ve r go ou t o f I n di a a s w e a y j udg
, ne , m e

by c mp ri g th s e w e m e t wi th t T a ve r e r s
o a n o e o n
’

a ccou t o f n e pr e s e n t e d to th e Gr a d M gul
on n o

o f sixty a ds i n l e gth w h ic h w a f o l d e d i
y r na , s n

coco ut sh e ll T h e b e s t re m a d e f ro th
an . a m e

w ol pluck e d f ro th e br e a st f a w ild a im a l
o m o n

w h i ch is t p a rticul a r ly d scrib e d but w h ic h

no e ,

p r ob a bl y i t is a , a tiv e
as f th mo u tai is n o e n n s,

e ith e r th V igo o r som e a n i m a l f th e s am e

e ne o
 C HAPTER I I .

T HE U n it e d St a te s o f Am e r ic a p a rticul a rl y
,

thos e wh ich lay to th e n orth o f th e Ch e s a p eak e ,

a pp a r to m e to p oss e s s a dv a n t a g e s i n th e br e e d
e

i n g o f sh ee p wh ich a re u n e q u a ll e d by th os e o f
p a rt o f E uro pe wh ich I h a v e s e e n First
an
y .
,

th e cou n tr y is g e n e r a ll y hill y ; th e h ills cov e r e d

with a fi e h e b age ; a lmos t e v e r y p a stur e is f ur

n r

n ish e d with ru n n i n g w a t e r a n d sh e lt e r e d mor e

,

or l e ss by tr ees a g a i n st th e summ e r s u n ; th e
e n closur e s a re m uch mor e e xt n siv e th a n th os e
e

wh ich a re fou n d in th e fe w e n c l os ed cou n ti e s o f

E u rop e ; wh e r e e xc e p t i n E gl a d a n d H o l
, n n

l a n d sc a rc e a e closure is to be s e e n ; a n d i
, n n n

th e s e cou n tri e s th e y a re s o sm all a s to be ill

a d a pt e d to s h e e p ; w h ich o n th a t a ccou n t v e ry
, ,

g e e ra lly u n n commo n s W h e r e th e re a re
n r o .

n o e n closu r e s, th e sh e e p must n e c e ss a rily b e

f ld d a t ight a t a ll s e a so n s o f th e y e a r a
o e n ,

pra ctic e e xtre m e ly h urt f l to th e m A g a i n

u .
,

wh e nt h y a e tur e d out th e y must be l ed

e r n ,

ov e r fallow gr u ds or p ick th e sc an t y h e rb ag e
o n ,

upo n exh a ust e d fi e lds T h e y m ust be sur

.
»
 E ssay on Sheep . 67

r ou n d ed by sh e p h e rds a n d th e ir dogs to pre ,

v en t th e ir tr e s pa ssi g upo n th e crops wh ichn ,

h a ve o oth e r prot cti : t h e y ust o f cours e

n e on m , ,

b e k pt i such clos e ord e r a s n e v e r to b e with

e n

out th tmosph e re o f ea ch oth e r s br ea th W h a t

e a
’
.

wo n d e r th e n is it th a t our sh ee p a re subj e ct to
fe w or o f th d is e a s e s th a t o f r e qu en tly
n ne o e s

d imi is h th fl ck f E p e ? It is tru e th a t
'

n e o s o u ro

Sp a i n m ay b e co n sid e r e d a formi g a x c e p s n n e

tio n to wh a t I h a v e s a id ; n t b e c a us e o f a n y
'

n a tur a l a d v a n t a g e th a t sh e e nj oys o th e r th a n in ,

h a vi n g m a d e a h a ppy s e l e cti o f h e r flocks ; on

b u t b e c a us e th e whol e a gricultur e f th e o

cou n try h a s i som e sort b e e s a crific e d to th e

n n

m a i te n a n c e f th e ir sh e e p a I h av e a lr ea dy
n o , s

st a te d i th e pr e c e d i n g ch a pte r T h e pric e o f
n .

w ol a lso i n this cou n try is in p ro p ortio n to th e

o ,

qu a lity h igh e r th a n in a n y p a rt o f E uro p e

, ,

w h il e th e v alu e of l an d i much lowe r T h e s .

i nte re st th en o f th e fa rm e r with u s u n ites with

h is p a triotis m in c alli g h is a tten tio n to th im n e

p rov e m e n t o f his flock I n doi n g this th e first

’

.
,

obj e ct mus t b e to a d a pt h is br e e d t h is soil a n d o

situ a tio n I f h e live s in th e vici n ity o f a grea t

.

city whos e w e al thy i n h abita ts will be l e ss

,
n

mi n d fu l f th e v a lu e a d th e pric e th a n o f th e
o n

r a rity o f a obj e ct le t h im ad a pt h is flock t

n , o

th e d e m a n d th a t th e ir t a st e t h e ir wh ims or , ,
68 E ss ay on Sh eep .

th e ir luxu ry m ay m a k upo it H is ea rly e n .

lam bs will in t h is c a s bri n g such a pr i e a s toe c

m a k e it a n obj e c t to k e e p a br e e d i g flock o f n

th a t s p e ci e s o f sh ee p wh ich will prod uc e th e

e a rl i e st l a mbs T h e most c e l e br a t e d stock
.

w hich I k n o w f r th is pu r pos e is th e D ors e t

o

s h ir e sh ee p from w h ic h , b r d th h ous e a re e e

l a mbs wh ich supply th e Lo d o m a rk e t ; T h e n n

e w s a e k ep t i
e r h igh ord e r a n d a re put to th e
n ,

ra m in th e mo th s o f M a y a d J u n e
n T he n .

l a mbs are fit f o m a rk e t d uri g a ll th e W n t e r

r n i

m o n ths a n d o n th a t a e u t bri n g a n e x trav a

,
c o n

g a n t p ric e T h e y a re k e pt in th e h ous e a t a ll
.

tim es a n d th e e w e s tur e d out but bro u gh t in

,
n ,

to th e m a t igh t a d a t oo n A l ump o f
n n n .

c h a lk S g v e n to th e l a mbs to lick
I i wh ich is ,

s a i d to a k e th e m e a t wh it e
m W he a ewe . n

los e s h e r l a mb or it is k ill e d o ff sh e is com

, ,

el le d t a dmit a oth e r
o a n d is h e l d i f s h e
n e
p , t r

f us e s it . T h e l a mbs by th is m e a n s h a vi n g both
a moth e r a d a f st e r moth e rn a re r e d e r e d
o -
, n

s oo n e r fit f o r th e butch e r T h e e w e is k e pt .

u po n th e most succul e n t f ood wh il e h e giv e s s

m ilk ; b u t it is a rul e a mo g th e br e e d e rs to n

k ee p th e a rl i e st e w e l a mbs f r stock a n d it is
e o ,

prob a bly a a tte tio to th is circumst an c e th a t

n n n

h a prod uc e d a k i n d
s f sh e e p th a t will t a k e o

th e ra m a t so e a rly a p e r od By th e s am e at i .
 E s say on Sheep .

t en ti on p erh a p s a n d by k ee pi n g both th e r ams

,

a d th e e w e s v e ry h igh a si
n il a r bree d migh t
, m

b e m ad e a mo g us i f th n origi n a l Dors e t
, e

sh ire stock could o t b e procure d ; th ough i

n n

tim e f p e a c t h e r e is v e ry littl e d i ffic u lty in

o e

obta i i n g th e m from E n gl a d by e a s f th e
n n m n o

s mug gl r s th a t tr d
e fr Du ki r k o tw ith
a e om n , n

st a di g th h i gh p l ty w h ic h th e gov e
n n e en a rn

m e n t h a s e ry u n g e n e rously a n e x e d to th ir
v n e

e x p ort a tio n .

I f th e fa rm o n w h ich sh ee p a re to b e r e a r e d
c o n sists o f w e t or m a rsh y grou n d with rich ,

a n d l ux u ri a n t gr a ss I would r e comm e d th a t
, n

th e l a rg sh e p b e a ri n g co m bi n g woo l sh ould
e e , ,

b pr e fe r e d si c e th e l a rg e ss f th e c a rc a s e
e r , n en o

a d th e qu a n ti ty o f th e wool migh t
n i n suc h , ,

grou d mor e th a comp en s a te f a dimi n utio n

n ,
n or

i n th e pric e o f th woo l if th e sc a rcity o f suc h

e ,

wool in u r co u n try should n o t (as m igh t b

o e

e xp e ct e d e h a n c e its v a l u e : i f a ct e h a ve
) n w _
n ,

h it h e rto m a d e v e ry littl e d isti n ctio n a d w e , n

s e l l a lik e wool th a t in E n gl a n d would b r i g but n

tw e lv e c e n ts a n d th a t wh ich i th a t a n u fa c tu r
, n m

i n g cou try would b e v a lu e d a t t h irty ix c e n ts

n -
s .

H e n c e wh e re th e p asture s e a d a pte d to l arg e

, ar ,

l o g wooll e d sh e e p t h e y would f r th e pr e s e t
n -
, o n

b e h ighly v a l u a bl e a n d p a rticul a rly i n th e v i

,

c in ity f th e sea ; for I h a v e obs e rv ed t h at th e

o ,
 ‘
70 E ss ay on Sheep ‘

En glish sh ee p whi ch h a v e b e en i n troduc e d i n to

thi s co u try d eg en e ra t e m uch l es s o n th e s ea
,
n

c ast th a n wh e th e y are c o n v e yed b e yo d th e

o , n n

first ridg e o f mou n t a i n s E n gl a n d Ir el a n d ; .

,

a n d Fl a n d e rs will su p ply th e stock i f it shoul d ,

b e th ough t th a t th os e o ffe r e d to th e p ubl ic b y

M Cus tis s h ould
r
. t f ll wit h i no y d i a
p n m esc r

tio n I sh ould h w v r b t h f r m h is a ccou n t

. , o e e , o o

o f th e Arli gto n lo g wooll e d br e e d

n n a n d f ro m
-
,

th e s a pl e I h a ve s ee n o f th e ir woo l th i n k i t
m ,

u n e c e ss a ry to look f u rth e r f o r a stock a d a pt e d

n

to th e p a stur e s i n qu e stio n Th e ir siz e will i n .

:

c r ea s e with th e ir p a st u r e s a n d th e l e n g th f , o

th e ir wool w it h th e ir siz e For e v e ry oth e r .

d e scriptio n o f p asture I th i k n o do u bt c a be n n

e t e rt a i n e d o f th e pr e fe r e n c e th a t sh ould b e
n

give to th e M e ri n o bre e d Th e s e ay be
n . m

f ou d o f su ch siz e a n d co stit u tio n a a re a d a p t

n n s :

e d to a n grou nd T hos e th a t a re d ry a n d
y .

b a rre n such a s our sh rub oak pl a i n s wil l

,
-
,

fi d in th e sm a ll Me ri o w h i c h a re commo n
n n ,

i n most p a rts o f Sp a i n a stock wh ich will n o t ,

o ly subsist but thriv e o n such grou n ds ; a n d

n ,

th ough th e ir fl e e c e s a re lighte r th e y a e o t , r n

l e ss fi e th n th os e o f th e l a rg e r a d more im
n a n

p ove d bre e ds T h e fa ul ts in th ir form will

r . e ,

by a a tte n tive b ree d e r t fa il to b e gra d u a lly

n , no

corr e ct e d Fro m S p a i m ay a lso be procur e d

. n ,
 E s say on Sh eep . 7l

by thos e wh o h a v e th e m e a n s o f s el e cti n g a n d
will n o t sp a re e xp e n s e l a rge r br e e d with , a ,

h ea vi e r fl e e c e s a d b tt r f orms a d wit h n e e , n

e qu a lly fin e w ol I h a v e o w i F r a c e a fe w
o . n n n

th a t h a v e b e e o chos e i Sp a i f wh ic h
n s n n n, or

a d oubl e pric e w a p a id a n d wh ich a re o f

'

s ,

u n c o mmo n si z e a d b ea uty : with th e s e a n d a n ,

n umb e r mor fr m th e first fl cks f F r a c e

e o o o n ,

I h pe t o e ric h o u o cou t r y w h n e a n s
n r n e m

s h a ll b e a fford e d f o r bri n gi g th e m out n .

From Fra c e th e b e st stock m ay more e asily

n

b e obt a i n e d * a n d b e i g a lr e a dy a cclim a t e d to
, n
‘

th a t c o u try w h ic h is mor e simil r to our o w n

n , a ,

a n d us e d to b e f e d o n h a y a n d n o t to mig r a t e , ,

th e re will b e l e ss risk i th e i porta tio n a n d n

~

i n th e a d a pti n g f th e m to our cl im a t e a d o n

m a n n e r o f k e e pi g O f th e s e I h a v e a lre a d y n .

treate d I proc e e d to st a t e my id a s o n th e
. e

b e st a n d ch e a p e st mod e o f obta i i n g a M e ri n o n

flock or such a por tio n o f M e ri n o blood a s

,

sh a ll i n st an tly doubl e th e v a l u e of a flock o f

sh ee p T h e high pric e o f M e ri n o r a ms a d
.
, n

th e d i fficulty o f procuri g thos e o f th e b e s t n

sort will d ete r m an y fa rm e rs f ro m e n te ri n g at

,

Co l on el Hu m p h re
y ,
s who has p r o b bl y
a s een b th h
o t o s e of Fran c e an d

Sp i g
a n, a r e es w it h m e i n t ish s e n tim ent I n h is l et t er t o th e Ag i l l r cu t u ra
yi ld
.

S i ty f M
oc e o as s ac h u s etts, h e s t at es , t h at th e i m p r ov e d s to c k o f F r a nc e e

twi c e a s m uc hw ool as h
t os e of Sp ain, w it h ou t a n
y c h ange in th q l ty f
e ua i o

th e fl eec e .
72 E ssay on Sheep .

o n c e u p o n th e e n t e rpris e i n th e mos t e ffec tu al

m an n e r ; th a t i by p r ocu r i g f ull blood e d r a ms
s, n -

i n th e first i n st a n c e : a d a s th i e ss a y is n o t
‘

n s

i n t e n d e d for th os e wh os e w e a lth e n abl e s th e m

i n st a n tly to ov e rcom e a l l di fficulti e s I sh a l l ,

trea t th e subj e ct u p o n s o e co n omic a l a sc a l e a s

to be with i n th e m e a s f e v r y a n th a t k e e p s n o e m

a flock .

A f t r h a v i n g d e te rmi n e d o n th e k i n d o f sh ee p
e

m ost prop e r f your fa rm wh ich w e will u p

or , s

os e to b e Me ri n o c a r e f ully e x a mi n e you r e w e s
p , ,

a n d s e l e ct f ro m th e m thos e th a t h a v e th e sh o rt 3 -

e t or th ick e st co a t
s wit h th l e ast h a ir o n th e
, e

h i d e r p a rts a n d wh os b e l li e s a re we ll c o
n ,
e

v e r e d with wool Thos e w h os e wool s e ith er

. i n

lo n g e n oug h to comb o r y t o sh ort as to be , n e s

g ood c a rd i n g wool sh ou l d b e imm e d i a t e ly sol d

,

or e xch a g e d for oth e rs o f th e d e scriptio I

n n

ha ev m e n tio e d I n
n th is th e.r e will b e o di f J n -

fic u l ty b e c a us e g e n e r a lly s p ea ki g th e y wil l
, , n ,

b e th e l a rg e st ; a n d a th e i r lo g wool cov e rs s n

th e ir defe c ts th e y a pp a r e tly a re th e h a n d
i

, n

so e t i n th e flock
m s L e t your e w e s b e a t l e a st
"
.

th r e e y e a rs old a s l a rg e a c a n b e got o f th e
,
s

sort b e lly l a rg e a d w e l l cov e re d wit h woo l

,
n ,

ch i e a n d loi bro a d bre a st d eep buttock s

n n , ,

f ull th e e y e s l iv ly th e b ag l a rg e a d th e t e a ts
,
e , ,
n

lo n g Next p rovid e yourse l f with a ra m p os

.
74 E s say on Sh eep .

r a ms to a tta i i g m
, b l od a t t h e e x p e s e o f
n n < o re o n

s iz e a d b a u ty ; f
n th oug h siz e m a y b e i n its e l f
e or

of im im p rta c e ; ye t if you a ft r w a r ds t
n or r o n e a

t mpt to i crea s e it by l a r g e r r a ms you wil l

e n ,

fi d som e d i ffic u lty i doi n g it wh e n you r stock

n n

of we s a r sm a ll T h e y will l a mb wi th
e e re . m o

d i fficulty a d fford l ss milk i proportio to

, n a e n n

th siz f th e ir l a m b s B e a u ty f f r is
e e o . o o m

a lw a ys t b c sid re d ; f th e b st f o m e d
o e on e or e r

sh e p a g e ra lly th e most t h ri fty Such a

e re en .

ra m w ith th e w e s I h a v e d e scrib e d will give

,
.
e ,

you e fou th br e d l a mbs who will c a rr y a t

on -
r e ,

l ea st n e f urt h re wool t h a your old st ck ;

o -
o m o n o

a d th is w ool will
n o t b e worth l ss th a fifty n e n

s ix c ts th e pou d if t h a t f the e w s sold t

en n , o e a

th irty s e v e c e ts T h e qu a lity a d qu a tity

-
n n . n n

o f th e wo l t k e toge th r will e a rly doubl e

o a n e n
'

th v l u e f you r fl ee c s i th e first g
e a o e a ti o n e n en r

N w le t us e e a t wh a t e xp e s e th is a d va n ta g
o s n e

purch a s e d T h e a w e will a y cost tw l v e r m s e

d ll a rs T h e fi r st y e a r h e will gi v you if w ll
o . e , e

k pt a d t ex h a ust d by too a y we s five

e , n no e m n e ,

p u ds f wool , wor th e doll a r pe r pou d as

o n o on n

w l o w s ells ; ch a rg e h is k e pi g a t n e d ol
oo n e n o

l a a d fi fty c ts — cl a r profit thr e d ll rs a d

r n en e , e o a n

fi fty c e ts t h a t is 3 3 pe c e t n h i r igi a l
n , , r n . o s o n

cos t ; so th a t i t a d f p yi n g a y th i g f a ns e o a n n or

ra m whic h s h ll d u bl e th e v a lu f y ur flocka o e o o ,
 E ss ay on Sheep . $25

y ou h a ve o ly put twe lv e d ll a rs we mo r d
n o e a

va n a t g i te re t th a
e o us
y nth r stock w uld
s n an o e o

h a v a ff rd d
e A y fa r
o e r th who c a n ra is e
. n m e en

th e m one y i th r b y b rr owi g p rti n g with

, e e o n or a

so m f hi
e o th r st ck a t e v
s o s th i g l s
e o en om e n e s

t h it v l u t p r ocu r such a a
an s a e, o ust s t d e r m , m an

gre tly i h i w n lig h t if h e h sit a t e a b ut

a n s o e o

m k i g th pu r c h a s e b e c us th r tur s a e
a n e , a e e e n r

g r t d c rt i
ea an Supp e hi r igi l s tock
a n . ose s o na

y i ld
e d him e t h irty i x p u ds f r w h ich -
s o n , om

u t b e d e d uc te d th k e e pi g w h ic h w ill ah
’

m s e n ,

s r b th e wh ol e h is n w stock b i g
o , n e f ourt h e e n o -

b re e d will i th e i cr as e d fi e n ss f th e
, , n n e an n e o

wo l dd a t l a s t t h ir ty d ll r s re to it T h us
o , a e o a m o .
,

f or tw l v d ll a rs exp n d d h e re c e ive s in
e e o e e ,

e ig h t mo th s wh h i l a mbs co e t be
een n , en s m o

s h r t h i r ty t h r e a dditio l doll a rs a n d tw o
o n, -
e na ,

fl c e s fr m h i ra w orth i e d ll a rs more
ee o s m , n n o ,

a d t h is
n l l cl ea r p r ofit b yo d t h e k e e pi g o f
a e n n

h is sh p wh ic h th e old fl ee c e s would but j ust

ee ,

h v e p a id
a Is th e re a y fa r r s o bli d t h i
. n m e n o s

i n t r st a to bre d an y l n g e r th c o i o n
e e s e « -
o e n m

s h p f th e cou try wh h i flock a y o

ee o n ,
en s m s

e a sily n d so r a s
a a bly be r ova t d ? But h e
e on en e ~

sh uld t st p h r e th cl r p r fit upo n h i
o no o e : e ea o s

fl ck a fte r th e fi rs t y r
o d th e pric e o f his ea , an

ra m wh ic h h s h uld t h e s ell will e abl e

, e o n , n

hi m to purch a s e a t h r e fourth blood ra y e -

m , sa
76
1
E ssay on Sheep .

at twen ty fi e doll a rs Such a ram w ith h is

- v . ,
~

o e f u r th br e d e w s will a t o n c e giv
n -
o e h im a e ,
e

h l f b lood flock a d th a t with out a y e Xp

a ,
e n n
l
ens ,

b c a us e h e purch as e s h im w ith th e e xc ss b e
e e

y o n d wh a t h is rigi n a l stock would h a v e

o giv en

h im .

is a g e ra l pra ctic
It ne d I b li e v e i n most e, an e

c a s e s a g od e to l e t th l a bs c
o on ,
in e m om e

Ap r il ; b t i c h gi g a st ck I s h ould pr fer
u n an n o e

a di ffe r e t c u r s n th oug h it b e e, tt e d d m a
o
y e a n

w it h s e mor e troubl e a d e xp e n s e i n taki g

om n n

c a r e f th e e we s T h e l a bs th a t co e in
o . m m

Ap r il will t a k e th e a b u t t h e i r yo u g wil l r m , n

b e fe bl e a d e v e n i f t h y s h ould liv
e , n will e e,

n o t f orm a good ba sis to work th e ch a g eup o ; n n

I wo u l d th e r f re put th e ld e w e s i te d e d
,
e o , o n n

f o stock i g d h ea r t a d kill ff th e l a bs
r n oo , n o m

e r ly so t h a t th y m a t a k e th e a i A ugust
a , y e r m n

a d S e pt mb e r T h e l a mbs th a t fa ll in J a n u a ry
n e .

an d F e bru a ry will b e l a rg e a n d stro g ough n en

to p ut to a th No v e m be r f llowi g a d
r m e
p o n , n ro

d uc e good l ambs t h a t a ye a r a y be ga i n e d
,
so m

by ch a gi n g th floc k It is tru e th a t it woul d

n e .

t e d t th i prov e m e t f th e flock o t to le t
n o e m n o n

th e w e s br ee d till t h y a re two y a rs ld ; but

e e e o

f e w fa r rs h a v th e
m e a s t k e e p t h a wa y
e m e n o em

fr m th e a
o a d th e y will g
r m , r a lly t a k e
n en e

h im i Nov e mb r a d D e c e mb e r ; in wh ich
n e n
 ‘
SSé S k eelh 77
y on

c a se is b e tte r t h a t th e w s should h a v o
it e e e a

qui r d tw or t h r
e o o nth s more grow th W ith ee m .

a v ry l a r g
e st ck th is i gh t b tr ubl e so m e
e o m e o

a d h a ard u ; b u t
n z f r o r th t k ps a bout
s a a m e a ee

t h ir ty w e igh t d it wi th li ttl e l ss
es m i n o o or nco

v i
en enc e by ra isi g fe w c a bb g s tur ips
, n a a e , n ,

a d p t a to e s e x tr
n o t giv e s h is e w e s t y a i g
a, o a e n n

tim e I presu t h a t e v ry fa r m e r k o ws t h a t
. m e e n

a w g es fi v m
e e o th s wi th l m b
e d f c o urs e
on a , an o

h o w to r gul t e th e y e a i g by th e k ee pi g
e a n n n

o ff o r d m ss o n f th e
a i i T h e u ber f o ra m . n m o

e we s t h a t a a will cov r h asr m r th at I e n eve ,

k ow f b
n o pr cis ly a s r t i d T h e
, een e e ce a ne .

Sp is h s h e p h e rds h a v e t tw ty f u r e we s;
an e on o en -
o

a d th is s e
n s t h a v e b e e n th r ul e i th d ys
em o e n e a

o f th p a tr i a r h s
e w y i f r fr
c , som e
as e m a n e om

p a g e s i w hic h th e i r flocks
ss a n num rat d a re e e e .

I n F r c e t h ey s
an to th i k f r ty th e most eem n o

c om m I E gl a d
on . am n h ig h ly k e pt h a s
n n a r

g on e t ig h ty w b t t h e p r c u tio s w r
o e e e s, u n e a n e e

us d t k p h i fr e x h us ti g h ims l f by
‘

e o ee m om a n e ,

gi vi g h i
n ly e t a ti
m on W i th ou t th es e
on a m e .

p r c u tio s h w v r I h a v g e r lly fou d

e a n , o e e , e ne a n

on e ra m fli tf
su sixty s v ty w s ; d
c re n or or e en e e an

h av e v e k w en to s r v h u d r d b u t
no n one e e a n e ,

I th i k h e w a j u r d by it I f I h a d y
n s in e . m

l ti
e ec I s h u ld t c h s t put
o n, o th no oo e o m o re an

f r ty w s t a a
o e e I f th r a ms
o l tt
r m . e a re e o ru n
78
”
E ss a y on Sheep .

th e whol e s ea so with th flock o n e will s e rve

n e ,

m or e w e s th an i f k e pt
e p a r t till l a te in th . a e

a u tu m n .

I should supp s e th a t e ve ry goo d fa rm e r o

would p ro id e so e sh e lte r fo h i we s i th e
v m r s e n

wi t e r ; if h d e s n t h e oug h t by m e n s
n e o o , no a

to l t h i l a mbs d r p rly
e s h will m e t with
o ea , or e e

gre a t loss e s I t will b e prope r h e re to m e tio n

.
-
n

th e m r i w h ich I th i k th e flock s h ul d
an n e n n o

b e tr e a t d i th e wi n t e
e wh ich th e a tt tive
n r, en

f a r m r will e ith e r a dopt or improv e upo

e as n,

circumst a c e s m a y d m a d It i com o to
n e n . s m n

l e t th s h p ue b u t th e b a r n d o r a d p i k
ee r n a o o , n c

u
p wh a t th e c a ttl e drop T h is a
y b e ec . m ono

m ic a l but is t a p a ctic e c alcul a te d to m a k e

, no r

a fi e flock n T h sh e e p will f r e qu
. tly b e
e en .

h urt by th e c t tl e d th e ti id e w e s will b e
a , an m

driv fr om th e ir food I t igh t n o t be a miss

en . m

t h a v e a f e w w e th e rs k pt f r th a t purp s
o e o o e,

w h would prob a bly wi te r w l l wi th littl

o x n e e e

p e s e by u i g with th c a ttl
n r nn n T h stock e e e

w e th e rs i f th e flock is l a rg should b e k pt
,
e, e

by th e ms lv s I f th y r i a op e fi e ld
e e . e un n n n ,

i w h ic h th r e a e h ills tr e e s fe c e s or h ous s
n e r , , n , e ,

a d n f dd e r e d fr m th h y st a ck th e y e d
a re o o e a -
, n e

no o th r sh l te r ; th ug h I s h o ld p r e f r a rick
e e o u e

out f w h ic h th y w r fe d a d th e wi d
o e e e , n on n

w a rd sid e f w h ic h th y could l y I f th e y
o e a .
 E ss ay on Sheep . 79

ru n with th e s
th e y a e stro n g e r t h e y
e we , as r ,

wil l f e d up e th e m s t d e l ic te h y a d
on m o a a , n co

p l
e t h w e e t t t h e r esf us T
o eah y w ill a lso e e . e

ren d e r it di tfi lt t giv th w e s s p ar telycu o e e e e a

th a t succul e n t fo d wh ic h th y r qui r b f r e o e e e e o

a d n f r t h e y h a v e l a mb e d u l ss you
a te e , n e ar

pr vid e d wit h suc h a qu a ti ty a s will s e v f

o n r e or

th w h l flock bot h e w s a d w th r s T h e
e o e , e n e e .

f ll w g i th pl
o o m I pu r u f
s e t k of
an s e or a s oc

tw o h u d r e d e w e s a d s v e ty w e t h e rs
n n e n .

I h a e ch se tw w r d r y si tu ti s sh l
v o n o a m a on , e

te d fr m th e
re ort h we st wi d by h ills a d
no -
n , n

o p t th m r i g
en o e i wi t e r at it fi t
o n n su n n n s
'

rs

r isi g n O
. th rt h sid e f this I h a v
n e no o e

e r e c t d tw b a r ra cks f bout tw e n ty four f e t

e o o a -
e

s qu a r e wit h , e l e a tio o f a bout

an ix a d a v n s n n

h a l f fe e t f rom th e grou d to th e h a y lo ft : n -

T h s e sta di g a t a d ist a c e fr om e a ch ot h e
e , n n n r,

I h a v e u i te d by a sh d h vi g th s a
n l va e a n e m e e e

tio n a d b e i g a bo t te f e t d ee p with a h y
, n n u n e , a

I ft a bov
o This sh e d is op e to th e sout h a d
e . n , n

bo a rd d t th e o r th ; th e b a rra cks
e o n b a rd e d a re o

u
p ,t h e o e th e o
n r t h a n d
on w st d t hne e , an

o th e r o th r th a d e st ; th s h ds cov e r
n e no n a e e

th e st sid e f
ea a d th e w st sid e o f th e
o one n e

oth e r u t g th e m tog th e r Al g th e w h ol e
, ni in e . on

o f th is build i g r a cks re e r e ct e d with a tr ug h

n a , o

a t th e bottom to c a t c h th e h a s ee d f whi h
y o c
-
,
§O E ss ay on Sheep .

th e
'

s h ee p a re ve ry fo n d . T his trough a lso .

serve s f b
o r tu rn s al t See a d a s th e
ip s ,
«
ra n , , . n

ext n t is a cco m m od a t e d to th e u m b r f sh e p
e n e o e ,

th y are e qu al l y fed th st o ng ha vi g n ad
e , e r n o

van t ag e ov r th e w ak O th e o utsid e o f th i s
e e . n

bu il di g a ll ar u n d a e bo a rds h u g u po n
n o , r n

h i g e s w h ic h s rv e t put th h a y i wh ic h is
n , e o e n

th ro w n from th e b a ra ck s to th o utsid e f th e r e o

s he p f ld By t h is m
e -
o . s t h e w l is k e p t ea n oo

f r e e f ro m h a y s e ds wh ich i j u r i t v ry mu ch
-
e , n e e .

Alo g th e r acks f
n th e d ist a c e f s ev e n f e t
, or n o e ,

th e build i n g is floor e d th a t th e sh ee p a re , so

k e pt l n a d l ie d r y
c ea T h e y a r d is a bout
n .

th r e e fou th s f a a cr a n d s surrou d e d b y
r o n e, 1 n

a h igh p a l e fe n c th a t dogs m a y fi d o a d e, n n

m itta c e I w a rm d a ys w h e th sh e e p a re
n . n , n e

o u t ,t h e loop bo a r ds a lo g t h e i k a re tur n e d n l

r c

u
p , a to
so l t th e wisn d p a ss f eely u d e r t h e re n

s tud s a d r e d r th e fr e sh a d pur e W it h
, n n e air n .

th e s e bu ild i n gs I a v ery l ittl e solicit us bout m o a

k ee pi n g a w y th r a s till l a te i th e a u tum n
a e m n .

My l a bs g e n e r a lly co i M a r ch a n d som e
m m e n ,

ti e s e ar li e r a d by h vi g a a tt tiv e h e p
m ,
. n a n n en s v
'

h e r d I h a ve s e ld m l ost m a y e ve wh e n as
, o n , n ,

th e y a r b e fore l ast by th e s v e r ity f th e w ea

e l
, e o

th e r l t e i M a rch my ighbours lost a n y

a n , ne m

o f th e irs .

T h e foll owi n g is th e pr ac tic e I w ould re

82 E ss ay on Sheep .

c as io n al ly stra w u po t h mla y T h is form s n e .

a s ft b e d i n th e wi t r a d b i rly f
‘
o
y t e a n e ,
e n s r

m e t a tio
n i th e spri g f ur n is h e s
n n r ic h a n , a m

n ure I stormy w e th e r your s h e ph e rd s h uld

. n a o

V isit your f old v e ry f r qu n tly a b ut y ea n g e e o in

tim e as a sto rm pp a rs to a cc e l e r t e th e bi r th
, a e a

o f th e l a mbs a d som b l t f w a t f
y , n e m a e os or n o

a tt en ti on .

I n a dd itio n to th e g en e r a l fold I h a v e f our ,

p a rti tio n s u d e r th e s h d l a rg e
n ug h e c h e , eno a

to co t ai n a coupl e
n f ew s Wh a l a mb o e . en

drops it is put with its moth r i to o e f th e s e

, , e , n n o

en closur e s w h ich is w e ll li tt e r e d H e r t h e y
, . e

a re k e pt fo two d ays a n d th e e w e is fe d wit h

”

r ,

b r a a n d succul en t f od
n W h e m r e l a bs o . n o m

c m e
o a d th e s e c e lls a re w a n t e d
, n th e old e r ,

gi v e pl c e to th e you ge r th l a mb b i g
a n , e e n

g n e ra lly su ffici e n tly stro g th e th ird day to

e n

t a k e c a re f its e l f a n d t fi d its da w h
o , o n . m en

tu r e d i to th flock I th e a rl y p r t f th e
n n e . n e a o

s eas a d b fore th e e we s b e gi t s h ow y
on, n e n o an

sig s f b e i g e a r th e i r y a i g tim e (w h ich

n o n n e n n

m a b
y k ow n eby t h e sw e lli g
n f th i r udd e rs
) n o e ,

th y a e k e pt up good h a y (clove r is p r f r
e r on e e

re d t a y oth e r
o
) a n d cor
n st lks W h e a
y n- a . n n

o f th e a pp a r to m a k e b
m
g a th
e s h p h rds a , (
s e e e

c all it wh ic h will be a b ut te d ys
, f rt o n a or a o

n ig h t b e for e th e y l a mb th e y a re c a rri e d to th e ,
 E ssa z/ on Sheep . 83

se co n d of th s h e p f lds th t I h a v e m e n tio d
e e -
o a ne ,

an d a th r f d wi th th
re e e b e st f h y cor
e e o a , n

s ta lks tur , ps c bb g ne p t t es a d n c e
, a a e, or o a o , n o

or twic i h a d ful f w e t
'

d y hav
e n a a e a n o

br an T h is giv s t h e m flus h f ilk w h

. e a o m en

th l a e b dr p ; f wa t f wh ic h m a y l a mb
m s o or n o n s

a e los t by i
r tt ti v f r nars I n this fold th e
en e a m e .

l bs d w s
am an k pt s e p ra te fr m th r est
e e a re e a o e

o f th fl k till th y
e oc u t t b u t h l f th e
, e am o n o a o a

nu mb r ; wh e th os i n th e fir t f ld will b e o
'

e n e s o s

f ar ad va c e d a to e quir th e s a e tr a tm e n t
n s r e m e ,

a d a
n d i i n is h d i u b e r a to k e
re so m e n n m s m a

a n
y r v l
em ou ec s a rya th w h lnn stock b e e s , e o e

i g th
n w ll fe d with th e most succul e t f d
en e n oo

t h a t c b pr cure d f th
an e o W h e e v e r th or em . n e

sn o w is off th g r u d t h e y s h ould be tu r d
e o n ne

to p stu r e wi th th e e xc e pti
a ,
f th s wh s e on o o e o

l a bs
m t y u g t follow th ; a d v n
a re oo o n o em n e e

wh th e s
en w l ys if n t t d e p th y
no a , o oo e , e

sh uld b le d u t t wa te r ; a d if you h a ve
o e o o n

a n
y c d ar pi
e h e ,l ck or th
n e,
e r bus h es m o , o

t h t r is a bo ve th e s n ow it will b w ll to
a e ,

, e e

b t p ath to t h
ea a a d l e a v e y u r fl cks a
em , n o o n

h our or tw n g th o T h e bra n ch e s
am o f em . o

th s tr e s t s h ou l d b br ug h t i to th e f l d
e e e oo e o n o

w h th g r ou d is l g cov r d with s w ;
en e n on e e no

f or th e f di g ee t h will co tribut uc h
n on em n e m

to th e h e alt h of you r flock W h e re th s e . e c an

84 4
E ssay on Sheep .

n ot bt n e d sm e r tar o bo ard s a n d spri a

be o ai , a n ,

k l th m lig h tly wi th s l t a d lay th e m so a th e

e e a , n s

s h p ay g t at th m ; by e a ti g it th ir b d i e
ee m e e n e o s

will b e k e pt o pe n a d th e ms e lv e s i h rt , n n ea .

O c a w e k a s all qu a n tity o f s a lt s h oul d

n e e m

b e gi v e n i th e a g e rs nS a lt is I th i k e
m n .
,
n , s

se nti l t tha h l th f h p i
o e clim a te
ea o s ee n our ,

an d i t i t h ug h t sf o much c o se qu e c in
o o s n n e

Sp i t h t th Ki g c a t ra is muc h r v e u e
a n, a e n n no e e n

on th t rticl l t it s h uld i duc th s h p

a a e, es o n e e e

h r ds to a bri dg th e qu tity usu a lly giv to

e e an en

th i r sh e p ; W
e h ich t h y sa y would n t
e ly , e ,
o on

i j u re t h
n b t ch em g e th qu li ty f th
, u an e a o e

W l About a fort g h t a ft r th e l ambs drop

oo . ni e ,

giv e th e m b sid s your m a rk f a pprop r i a ti

, e e o on,

a m rk wh ic h is t d isti guis h th e d e g r
a f o n ee o

M e ri blood t h e y poss ess At t h is ti e you

no . m

ca n mk aista k e b e c a us e you c a t a k e
e no m ,
n

th e l a mb i m di te ly f r om its da : if y u
m e a m o

d f r it till th e y a l g e r a d r u rous
e e re ar n m o e n m e ,

y ou will b l i bl t rr r s e I i w t
a h is v eer y o e o . V e as

i p r ta t p r t cul r ly if y m ea to s e ll a y
m o n , a i a ou n n

o f y ur s t c k f
o br e d i g si c e a m a th a t
o or e n , n n

p ss ss e s ei th e r h o our
o e h o esty would f l n or n ee

th t
e st p a i a t h
u m o
g d e c iv d th n pur a vm e e e ~

ch r i a se a tt e r which is so e ss e ti a l t
n a m th e n o

a m li r ti
e f h i fl ck
o a on o s o .

Should y d for e d or l a m e l a mbs be fou n d

an e m
 E ssay on Sheep . 85

in your flock sh uld n y n e b k ille d by

, or o a o e

a ccid t strip ff th ski fr m such l a mb a d

en , o e n o , n

c v r with it ith r twi l b th e l a b f

o e e e a n am or m o

,
a y u g o w w h d es
n e t a pp ea r t b
e g od
o o no o e a o

n u rs e, d s h ut ti g up th
an w th t h nl st e e e a as o

h e l a b h e will g e r a lly ta k e t
r m , s he w ne i as r o n.

Sh uld h r fus h us t be h e ld f a da y
o s e e e, s e m or

or tw wh e n h will a d pt it This is a
o, s e o . c om

m on p r c tic i Sp a i w h r v h l f th
a e n n, e e e en a e

l a mbs a re kill e d a d tw w s giv e t a c h

, n o e e n o e

l a b T h f tigu t h y u d e rg i tr a v e lli g
m . e a e e n o n n

I presum e h a r e d e r d t h is n e c e ss a r y O s n e . ne ,

f e ig h b u r s t r i d it l a st spri g u e n
o
y
m n o
p y , on m

re comm d a ti enwith succ e ss I f th l a bs

on , . e m

co m e ea r ly th e w e s will b e r e li e v d a d th e
, e e , n

l a mbs stre g th e n e d by givi g th

n fin e h a y n em

a d b ra
n or y succul t f d suc h a ab
n, an en oo , s c

b g & C I o d e r to do this a d t su ffe r

a e, . n r , n no

t h e i r f d to be ea t by th e ld s h e p I h a v e
oo en o e ,

c o t r iv d b x e s wit h a r a ck a d m
n e o g e r wit h i n an n

th m a d lids to put i th i r f dd r T h e
e , n n e o e .

f r o t f t h is b x i s o f l a t h so wid
n o o s t p r it ,
e a o e m

th l a m bs to go i
e d t t pl a sur e but too n an ou a e ,

na rr ow to a d it th e g r w s h p I f it is m o n ee .

p r fe rr d to h a v th l mbs c m i A p r il i
e e e e a o e n , n

t h t c ase
a p r ticul a r c a r i e c ss ary th e r
no a e s n e , o

th th at f providi n g a fi e ld of rye or clov e r

an o

f r th e e w e s
o .
86 E s say on Sheep .

H a vi g bro u g h t our fl cks th rough th e w in

n o

t e r, w now com e t th ost critic a l s e as n

e o e m o ,

t h a t is th e l a tte r e d o f M a rc h a d th e o t h
, n n m n

o f April At t h is tim e th e grou d b i g b re

.
, n e n a ,

th es h e p will r e f us e to a t th ir h a y wh il e th e
e e e ,

sc a ty picki g f gra ss a d its p u rg a tiv qu a

n n o , n e

l i ty will dis bl t h fro

a t k i g th
e u r ish
em m a n e no

m e t th a t is
n e c e ss a ry to k p th e m u p I f
n ee .

t h y f ll w a y t h ir wool will b i nj ur e d th e
e a a , e e ,

gr wt h f th e ir l a bs will b e st pp e d a d v n
o o m o , n e e

m an y f th e old sh e e p will b c a r ri e d ff by a
o e o

dys t ry T provid e food f r th is s a so n is

en e . o o e

ve r y di fficult ; tur e ps a n d c bb g will rot a d n a a e , n

br a th e y will n t e at a f te r h a vi g b e n fed
n o n e

up on it a ll wi te r ; pot a to es h ow v r a d th e
n , e e , n

Sw e dis h tur e p c a ll e d th o o ta b g a ay be
'

n e r a , m

u s e f ully ppli e d a t th is tim e a d

a I th i k , n so n

mig h t p a rs e ps a d c a rrots But a fe w o f us

n n . s

a re i th e h a bit
n f c u ltiv a ti g t h e s e pl ts to
o n an

th e xt e t wh ich is n e c e ss a ry f th supp rt
e n or e o

of a l rg flock w e ust s e k r e sou r c e s

a e , m e

m or e w ith i urr c h T h e first a d simpl e st

n o ea . n

o f th e s e is t l v e th e s e co d growth f our
o ea n o

cl v r u cut a d to tur th e e w e s up it
o e n , n n on .

T h y u g clov e r will sho t

e o n r e a l
y y i th e o ve r n

sp r i g h a v i g b e e cov e re d by th ld c r p
n , n n e o o

d u r i g th e wi t r Th is t g e th r with th e ld
n n e .
, o e o

grass wh ich th e s h e p w ill be comp e ll ed to eat

,
e
 E ssay on Sheep . 87

in ord e r to get at th e you g sprouts will k p n , ee

t h e m up till th e p asture s a e fit f th e m A stil l r or .

b e tt e r p ra ctic is t put i e r y rly c r p f

o n a ve ea o o

r
y e,gi v i g th gn r u d d ubl
e qu tioty f
n a o e an o

s d ; d p r h a ps t if th e s e ds f tu r ps
ee an e oo e o ne ,

k l e a d wi t r c a bb a g e w e r s w wi th it th e y
a , n n e e o n ,

migh t i f th wi t r w f v u r bl dd t th e
,
e n e as a o a e, a o

qu ti ty f f d T h w
an o oo d l b s tu de e es a n am rn e

up t h is w o u ld th riv xc e d i gly d i f y ur
on e e e n , an o

p astu re s co siste d f ye grass o r c h a r d gra ss

n o r , ,

cl ve r p rsl y a d bur e t wh ich c m e f r

o , a e , n n , o o

w a r d e a r ly i th e s e s n th y m ight b ta k n a on, e e e

f r om th e y b e f r th e y h a d do
r e it th e l st
o e ne ea

i j ury ; t h e ir fee t d t a ils m r t h a o pe

n an o e n c m n

s a ti g th e isc h i f d e by th ir tee th T h e
n m e on e .

summ e r fe e di n g f s h p ust o f cours e be e o ee m r

u l a te d by th e a tur e f th e ow e r s g r u d ;
’
n o n o n
g
i f h ow v r it i i h i pow e r to m a k e a el e c
,
e e , s n s s

ti o n, le t h i ch oos e grou ds wi th a sw t
m n ee

h e rb ag e f wh it clove r sp ea r g ss o r bl u
o e ,
-
ra , e

g rass ; le t th e p sture poss ess both wa t r d a e an

sh a d e ; a d a sh ee p pre fe r sh ort g ra s d h a ve
n s s , an

n o obj e ctio to fe e di g a ft r h o r s s t h oug h

n n e e ,

th e y d isl ik w h a t oth e r sh p h ve l a
e r ee a in o

br a th e d U p
e it will b e c o my to put
on, e on

h rs e s th e s a m e p astu r e ho r e d c a ttl e e
o on n ar

n t good
o b c us r u i a ti g a n i a ls dislik
,
e a e m n n m e

th e f oo d th a t is t a i n t e d wit h th e br ea t h or t e a d r
 88

of oth e r a i als th t ru i te It will be pro

n m a m na .

p er t occ
oo a sio n a ll
y to ch a g e th e p a s tur e s I n .

fin d t h a t th e d a isy is e a t e r e a d ily b y sh e p i n n e

th e p a stu re i th e spri g f th e y e a r a n d w h e n
n n o ,

i n flo w e r t h e y will c r p th fl w e rs ; but th e n o e o

th e y must h a v e a c h a g f f o d or th e y wil l n e o o ,

tir f it
e o d , ly t it f r
an on i ty eaIf om n e c e ss .

n o t us e d to it it will ti
, s p urg e th e m i
so m e m e n

th spri g ; i
e n w h ic h c a s e t h i r p asture s sh uld
n e o

be c h a g d n No h a y is h ow v e r e te with
e .
, e , a n

m re a vid ity both by s h e e p a d c a ttl e th a th a t

o , n n

m a d e f r o th d a isy wh e i th fl we r I f
m e n n e o .

it sta ds th ick a d y u c u t it do w a fte r wilt

n , n o n, ~

i n g a fe w hours th e cows wil l l e a v e th e ir gr as s

to fe e d upo it n .

It is g n e r a lly re c e iv ed o p i n io n in e v e ry
a e

p a r t f E ur p e e x c e pt E gl a d th a t s h e e p
o o n n ,

sh uld o o t f ee d e it h r i
n th v n i g or i th e
e n e e e n n

m or g wh e th e de w is
nin n th e gr a ss No on .

th i g c a b e mo r e a bsurd th a th i id e a or
n n n s ,

m re co tra ry t xp e ri c e W ith
o n o e it is en . m e

o e a mo g a thous a d ot h r proo fs th a t f r a ud
n n n e ,

m a
y pr a ctis e upo n ig or a c e till fa ls e h o d s n n o

a rec sid e re d a th e a xioms o f tr u th I v ry

on s . n e e

c u t r y i E urop e xc e pt E gl d a n d Holl a d
o n n e n an n ,

sh e p a e t d e d by s h e ph e rds w h l e a d th e m
e r en ,
o

to th e fi ld d co ti u e out with th e m th e
e , an n n

w hol e da y wh a t e v e r m a be th e st a t e o f th e
, y
90 E ssay on Sh eep .

i n commod e d b y th e h e at I f th e p asture a f .

f ords a wood or a h ill u d r th e sh a d e o f wh ich , n e

th e y c a n fe ed th e y will be fou n d, th e ir l e gs on

a g a i n by thr e e or four o clock i th e a f te r oo n ;

’
n n

b u t if n t th e y b gi n to fe e d l a t e r in th e da y
o , e ,

a n d will co n ti u e s o to d so h ou r s a fte r
n o m e

su s e t I t will a sily b c c e iv e d th e n t h at
n . e e on ,

sh ee p m ust su ff e xtr e m e ly by b i g f ld e d
er e n o

wh e th y s h uld f d
n e d b i g co p e ll e d
o ee , an e n m

to fe e d wh e th y s h uld b a t r st
n e o e e .

I ugh t t h a v e e tio n e d th a t it is a p a c
o o m n , r

t c e som e pl a c e s t sh e a r the t a gs a n d wool

i in o

f ro m th udd rs f the e we s b for t h e y l a mb

e e o e e

e d ; a d th is pr a ctic e is stro gly ec

n n m e nd d n r or
g
by a hu b e r f a gricultu ra l writ rs who a ll e g e
m o e ,

th a t th e l a b c a n ot suck o we ll u n l e ss th is is
m n s

do n e : but th e re a re m a y pl a usi bl e th e ori e s n

w h ich a n t co n firm e d by pr a ctic e a n d

re o ,

th is I ta k e to b a m n g th e u mb e r T h e e o
r
n .

t ea t i a lwa ys b a re a n d th is is th e ly p a r t
s , on

th a t th l mb h a a y th i g to d wit h a n d
e a s n n o ,

b are in g ot h e r p a rts o ly t d t misl e a d h is n en o

“

s ea r ch But t h is i not th e gre a te st e vil th a t

. s f

r e sults fr o m it T he e w e m ust b e h a dl e d
. n ,

a n d to o fte n v e ry roughly wh e n sh e is h e a vy
o ,

with l b T h e e ffe ct o f th is is v ry obvi us ;

am . e o

th e t ea t i so e tim e s w u d e d by th e sh e a rs ;
s m o n

but a bov e a ll th e sh a ri g e xpose s th e udd e r

, , e n
 E ssay on Sheep .
9 1

to cold w hic h if th e ew e is v e ry forw r d

, , a ,

t h r ws b a ck h er ilk a d so time s kills

o m , n m e

h e ; a d v e w h e l ss f orw r d it
r n e n d a g rs n e a , en n e

h e h a lt h
r e d f c rse th a t f h e b r yo
, an o ou o er m

l a mb I h a ve s ee n ccou t t h ug h I a
. n a a n , o c n

n t j ust n w r e coll ct w h e r e
o o f a u b r f e , o n m e o

e w e s dyi n g i n E gl a d i co n s e qu en c e f c ld
n n n o o

wea th e r followi g s oo n a fte r this u n n e c e ss a ry

n

op r atie on .

SH E A R ING .

Th is t is a d e lic a t e t ask a n d r e quires more

oo ,

a tte n tio th a is f re qu e tly p a id to it M a y

n n n . n

f rm e rs b e g
a by wash i g th e ir sh e e p T h i
in n . s

b e a good pr a ctic e w h e r e th e fl e c e f
m a
y e s o

th e s h e p a e th i n a d sh a ggy a i th e lo g
e r n , s n n

wo ll d b r e d ; ye t I th i k wi th t h ick s h ort
o e e n ,

cloth i g W l it is f littl u e a n d p ar ticul a rly

n oo o e s ,

i f th fl ck co sis ts f Sp a ish sh e e p w h os
e o n o n ,
e

wool is close a n d th ick a to r e d e r it ab

so s n so

l t l y i p ssibl e t m a k e it cl ea by w a s h i g n
u e m o o n n o

th es h p s b a ck ; a d f th is r ea so it is e v e r
ee
’
n or n n

pr ctis d i Sp a i T h e lo g st r a ig h t w ol so n
a e n n . n ,
o o

d r i e s a d th r f r th s h p e l e ss i j u r d
, n e e o e e ee ar n e

b y it . But wh th e w t r is a d to p e tr a te
en a e m e ne

t th e ski
o t h ug h a th ick cl s e fl c i t will
n, ro o ee e,

r em i w t l g tim e a d I th i k c a o t
a n e a on , n n nn
 92 E s say on Sheep ’

f a ilto i j u re th sh e p wh ich are Ve r y subj e ct

n e e ,

to c lds o th e h ea d ch i l l s t h a t p e e tr a t e th e
m , n

l i bs m d fa lli g n th e bo w e ls b r i g
, an , n a o , n on

l ax, wh i c h s m e tim e s k il ls a d ve r f ils to

o , n ne a

w e k n t h e m x tre e ly A oth e r e vil whic h

a e e m . n

i littl e a tt e n d d to is th e bri gi g tog e th r a

s e , n n e

l r g flock f s h p i n a s t bl
a e o clos e b a ree a e or n,

an d k pi g th ee t g t h e till th w h l e
n em o e r e o

ar e sh r I f th r
o n .
y d is rd r d s h p
e e a re a n
ee o e e

i nth e fl c k t h y com u ic at t h i r
o ,
e m n e e c om

pl i t if co t gio us to th e wh ol fl ck
a n , n a , e o ,

wh t k i e ach t h e s ffl ia a t e ve ry
o a e n o r
’
e uv

b e a th th y d r w But i n d p d t f this
r e a .
'

e en en o ,

th r b i g h e a t d in t h is
ei e n a ne r a n d i m m e m n , e

di t ly ft e r st ripp e d f th e i clot h i g c a
a e a ot o r n , nn

but b v r y h u r t f ul t th e
e e I Sp a i it is a o m . n n

c om o n pra ctic t k e p th e s h e p clos e ly

m e o e e

c fi n d i o rde r to k e th e m swea t wit h a

on e , n m a ,

vi w t i c r s e th
e o w e ig h t f th e w o l a d
n ea e o o , n

to a k th e s h r s e t er e asi e r T h
m e ea e n . e c ons

q u i
en c e t h t m y ds,i ; a d ia s i st aan
n c e s e n n om e n

o neh l f f th e fl ck h
a o b c r r i e d ff i th o as een a o n e

sp c f a n ig h t I c
a e o t but b e li e v t h a t this
. ann o e

i j ud ici us a a g
n o t a d f ld i g h a v
m n
g e em en n o n e

t d th t g r
n e ra e t c a t l gu e f a l a d i s th a t
a ea a o o m e

pr v il o g th e s h p f E u r p but st
e a am n ee o o e, m o

o f w h ic h h p pily u k o w a re i A a ric a n n n n m e .

I would th e r e f r r e co e d wh e n th e
, o e, m m n ,
 E ss ay on Sheep . 93

sh ri
ea n g com n c s th a t t h s
m e h e e p b e p e d, e en ne

i thn p e i o d b r ug h t by six o r e ig h t
en a r, an o

at ti i t th b r
a m e n oI f th fl ck is l a rg
e a n . e o e,

d r i v up o ly
e p rtin f th one d le t th e o on o em , an

re s t f d br d till w t d T h ti
ee a oa f sh ar an e . e m e o e -
y

i g mus t b r egul t d by th st a t e f th w
n e a e e o e ea

th r d th e grow th f th w ol I f th e s h e p
e an o e o . e

b gi t l s th ir w l
e n o oo e d t h is d s e t r is e oo , an oe no a

fr om b d k p i g i t w il l b f u d
a ee n , i e o n , on ex am n

a tio t h t it is pr t r ud e d by a g r wt h f y u g
n, a o o o o n

w o l ; t h e r w uld th
o ebe som l s by d f r
o en e os e e

ri g th h a ri g a th e ew wool will i j ur
n e s e n , s n n e

th e old d th e t y ar s c r p be d i i is h d ’

, an e n x e o m n e

i qu a tity by th e d e l y
n n B u t ev e th is s h ul d a . n o

no t i duc th fa r e r t s h e ar h is s h e e p till th e
n e e m o

w ea th e r is w ar a d s ttl e d I t h is circu m n e . n m

st c th e M ri bre d h a v e
an e e nod v t ge e an a an a

o v r ll th r s Th e y v r sh e d th i r w l ;
e a o e . ne e e oo

a d fr m
n so o x p ri ts th a t h v b n
m e e e m en a e ee

m d i F r c it a pp ea r s th a t tw
a e n an e, d v o an e en

th ree y r s g r wth a y b e h d t o cutti g

ea o m a a ne n

wi th ut di i is h i g th qu a ti ty T h us if
o m n n e n .
,

a sh e p w uld h v
e giv th r p u ds th e
o a e en ee o n

fi r t y r i f l e ft s h
s ea ,
h will gi v six th e
un o rn , e e ,

n xte ,d i an th f ll wi g ;
n ne th a t i f i t w
e o o n so as

d e si r abl t h M r i w ol f t
e o a ve tw l v e no o o en or e e

i c h s l g it c uld b ob ta i d : but i t is a
n e on , o e ne

p ra c tic e t h t I w o uld ot r e com

a d i n m en n o ur
9t s
E ssay on Sh eep .

w a rm clim a t wh e re sh e e p must su ffe r gre a tly

e,

u d so t h ick a fl c a we ll from th e h e a t
”

n er ee e, s

a f ro th lic e th a t it would g e e r a t e It is"

s m e n .
,

h owe v e r a g r a t a dv a t a g e n o t to b e c
, e p e ll e d n om ,

f rom th fa lli g f th e w o ol to sh e a r a t a n
e n o ,
-

i n c ve i e t or i prop e r tim e ; a d th is a d
on n n m n

v n t ag e is I b e li
a , fi e d sol e ly to th e
e ve , c on n

M r i o bree d How fa it m a y xt e n d to th e
e n . r e

mix d b r d I d n t k ow
e ee o o n .

I n som e cou tri s th s h e e p a re sh or n twice

n e e

a y e a r ; but wh e r v e r th is pr a ctic e pre v a ils I

e ,

b li e v e i t is owi g e ith e r t th e wool s b e i n g

e n o
’

too co r s f u e w h e it tt a i s its f ull growth

a e or s n a n ,

or b e c a us e a th e wi te r a ppro a ch e s a n d o
, s n , n

p r p
o e r provisio is m a d e to k e e p th e
n th e m ,

s h e e p f lli n g in fl sh wo u ld n t k e e p th e ir
a e , o

wool till sh e a ri g ti n m e .

It is g e ra l pr a ctic e i sh ea ri n g to tie th e
a en n

l egs f th e s h e p tog e th e r This is ve ry i

o e . m

prop e r : it f c e th e sh ee p i to a positi i
‘
or s n on n

wh ich th i te s ti e s b e i g pre ss e d th y di
e n n n , e s

ch rg e th i u r i e d d u g a t th e ti e th e y
a e r n an n m

ar e sh ea r e d w h ich f u ls th e wool a n d is f
, o , o

f siv e t th e op e r tor ; b sid e s w h ich th e ski

en o a e , n

b i g by t h is e a s dra w tog e t h e r t h r e is
e n m n n ,
e

m uch o r d a g e r f cutti g th e s h e p t h a
m e n o n e n

i f th y w r pl c e d i th e ir a tu r l p sitio
e e e a n n a o n .

I t h as t h r f , b r comm d ed to tie
e e o re , ee n e en
 E ssay on Sh eep 95

th e m to a tabl a fte r l ay g th e m o n o e si d ;
e, in n e

b ut t h is I th i n k w uld subj c t th e t so o e m o m e

risk if th e y s h ould st r uggl d t itll e v e t s e, an a n

wil l re qui re twic tyi g th e s h p ust be e n , as ee m

tur d I c te mpl t tr yi g th
ne . on x t y ar a e n e ne e

th e tyi g th nf r e n d h i d l gs t a b a w tih
e o a n e o r

tw o cross pi e c e s ; th b t b b ut ig h te e ar o e a o e en

i ch es l g
n d th
on ross pi c s si x T h is
, an e c e e .

w u l d l v th h p i th ir tu r l p s tu r
o ea e e s ee n e na a o e,

wi th th eir l e gs li ttl stre tc h d u t ; a d f e e o a ro o

i r o with a curv t u r a t ea c h d w ould p

n, a e en , er

h a ps be still b e tt e r b c a us e b e i g s ll e r it ,
e , n m a ,

would b l e ss i th w y f th s h e a r s T h
e n e a o e . e

sh a ri g f a co o lo g w l l d s h p is
e n o m m n n -
oo e ee a

m t t r f lit tl d i fficulty th fl c e b e i g ligh t,

a e o e , e ee n

a n d th w o l ot v l u bl
e o to occ si
n
yso a a e as a on an

g re a t a tte ti to s h a r i g c lO e T t h s e t h a t
n on e n s . o o

h a v s h rt wooll d a d p rticul rly M r i

e o -
e , n a a e no

s h ee p I would r co
, d t t trust th e e m m en no o

sh e a rs to c a r e l e ss h a ds by y e t n , or an m ans o

hurry t h ir w rkm e ; e th co tra r y t

o n on e n , o re

mi d th e c st a tly t h a t th e w l is ffi i
n m on n oo su c

e tly v lu a bl
n a to co p e s a t e f th tim sp e t
e m n or e e n

i n t a ki g it ff n n d th e s h e p to v lu a bl to
, a e oo a e

b mai ed
e m T sh r e M r i s h p p
. o ea on e no ee ro - a

p e r ly will t k e m re ti a th to s h a r th r e o m e an e e

l o n g wooll e d sh e p
-
L t th e st r th sh w e . e m a e en o

n o i p a ti e c e if h e would h a v e his wo r k w ll
m n e
93 E ssa y on Sh eep .

do ne Gre t c a r e sh ou ld b e t ak e n n o t to w o und
. a

th h ee p a rticul r ly w h e th sh e a rs is a p
i th e u dd r w h e re wou ds a e d a
a n e

pl i e d e d
e s

n e , n r nn

e ro n s ; but a so ccid t s will u a v id a bly

g a e s m e n n o

h a pp e th e b e s t r
n, dy t a pply to th e wou d
em e o n ,

in o r d r to h e a l a d prot e ct it f ro m th fli e s
e n .
e ,

i a l i ttl ta f r o m th t
s e r buck t w h ic h e ar -
e , c on

ta i s so e mixtur e f g re a s e a d a littl e fi e
n m o , n n

dus t f h o alc v r it
a rc o o e .

I f th w ol is to b us e d i n th e fa mily it i
e o e , s

b e st to so r t it a th fl e e c e s e ta k e ff putti g
s e ar n o , n

th e wool f th e h og g ts (or you g s h e p ) by

o e n e

its l f b c us t NJ GS cl ot h t ix thi wi th
e , e a e i I UI
‘
o m s

t h a t f f ull g ow sh e p a it is n t of th s a m e
o -
r n e , s o e

t ex tu r st r e gth a d wi ll a k e th e clot h
e or n , n m

sh ri k u e qu a lly T h e ot h r fl ee e s ay be
n n . e c m

so r t d e lso a ki g s p r a t e p a r ce ls
a , m f th e
n e a o

t h ig h th e b e lly— th e b a ck d sid es A n
— s an .

ot h er ssort e t a y b e m a d a fte r wa ds if
a m n m e r

th oug h t e c e ss a ry :
n I f th e wool i d sig df r s e ne o

s a l th fl c s s h o u ld b c r fully r o ll d up
e, e ee e e a e e ,

first t a ki g ff th e t gs n o d ti d t g t h e r wi th a
a , an e o e

lock f th w ol I f th fl ck co sists f M ri
o e o . e o n o e ~

n es o pu r e
, ix e d d c
or m o s h e p as ,
an om m n e ,

m an y p rc e ls s h ould b e m a d a th e r a g r d e s
a e s e re a

i th fl hk
n e th a t e a c h p a r t w h c arri e d to
o , so ,
en

m ark t y b
e e, m ma r k
a e d a ccord i g to th v a lu e n e .

T h e wool s h ould t b e k e pt lo g u po n h a n d
no n
 98 E ssay S h eep
“

on .

a bly or e br a dth by wh ic h th e y are d i sti n

m e ,

u i h e d f rom th e ix l mb s t ee th h e th ir d
’

g s t s a :

y e a r th two a dj oi n i g tee th are c h a ge d : th e

e n n

fourth y e a r l e a v e s th e m with o n l y two l a mb s

’

tee th : th e fi fth y e a r a ll t h ir te e t h are ch a g e d e n ,

a d th th s id b f ull mouth ed At
n
y a e n ea t re
e o .

s eve d e ig h t y r s th y b gi n t l s th e ir
n an “
-
ea e e o oo e

f ro nt fe e th W h e n e v e r th is h pp e n s th e y a re
. a ,

c a ll e d b r k ut h d a n d s h ould b e tur e d
o en m o e , n

o ff to fa t th e y a re th e, as up th e d cli e n on e n .

M y s h e e p will h we ve r pr e s e rve th e ir te e t h
an , o ,

muc h l o ge r ; but i t will be be s t e xc e pt i n th e

n ,

c a s f a v l u abl ew
e o aa to tur th e m ffe e or r m , n o

th e y e a r a f t e r th e y a re f ull mouth e d ; f o th e y r

d e cli n i wool a s t h e y gro w old e r a d will

e n , n

f a tt e n b e tt e r b e for e th te th ge t loo s e r d e c a y e e o

b esid e s th a t i n a flock f commo n sh e e p th e

,
o

pr c p a l pr fi t c n sists i fa tti g o ff e a rly a

in i o o n n , s

th e sh e p sold is f th r ee tim e s th e v a lu e o f th e
e o

l a mb by wh ich it a y b r pl a c d
"
m e e e .

T h s h a r rs s h uld a ls
e e x i e v ry a tte
e o o e am n e n d

ti ve l y wh e t h r th s h ee p th y sh a r h a v e th e
,

e e e e

sc b wh ich a y b e k ow by th e wool m
a
/
, m
‘

n n co

i g ff a sily n d by th e ski b e i g roug h d

'

n o e , a n n an

d isc l ure d I t h a t c a s th e r m ed i e s w h ic h
o o . n e e

I s h a ll h re fte r m e ti should b im di a t ly
e a n on e m e e

a ppli d ; a d i f th e disord e r h a g
e n e f a s on so ar s

ti) h a v e for m e d a so e or sc a b it will be b e st r ,

 E ssay on Sheep . 99

to se
p arate ct i
e d s h ee p fr om th e flock
th e n fe

till th e cure is e ff cted Cold a d h ea t is i j u e . n n

r i o u t sh p t h t h v e b
s o ee j ust s h or ; t h e y
a a ee n n

s h ould th r e fore be put i t p stu r s i w h ich

, e , n o a e n

th y e fi d sh d
c an f thn u t o ly h u r ts
a e, or e s n no n

th m w h e a k d but d r i s th e ski i j u r s
e n n e , e n, n e

t h e g r owi g w l d n s id to pr duc e th e
oo , an IS a o

sc ab A t th is tim t tt tio s h o u ld be p a id
. e ,
oo a en n

t th e h r n s
o f th s h e p to e th t th y d
o o e e , s e a e o

no t pr e ss upo th e skull o r e n d a ge r th e e y s ;
n , n e

i e it h r f w h ich c a s e s if n t t a k
n e o ff th y , o en o , e

will c a use th d e ath o f th e a i al Th e e a e

e n m . r r

two w ys to re m v th e h r s th e Sp a ish
a o e o n : n

sh e ph rds m a k e e hol e i th e ea r th l rge a n a

e n oug h to co t i h l f th e b dy o f th e sh p
n a n a o ee ,

a d a oth e r o f l e ss d e pth f
n n h i h ead u d r or s , n e .

wh ic h block i pl a c e d ; th a im a l is la id
a s e n

upo h i b a ck th e pit a a si tti g st r id e

n s in , m n n a

to k e p h i dow w h il e a n oth e r co fi e s h i
e m n, n n s

h e a d to th block a d a t h i r d cuts ff h i h r s
e , n o s o n

wi th a sh a rp h i e l a n d m a ll t ; I h a ve h w
c ss e , o

e ver pre f r re d usi g a fin e sti ff b ck e d a w

, e n -
a s ,

w ith w h ic h th op r tio a b e v r y e a tly

e e a n c n e n

p e r f r d thoug h a surg e o s a w wo u ld be
o m e , n
’
s

b tt r Aft r th h or s a re t k n ff I h a ve
e e . e e n a e o ,

a ppli d ta e to th x tr t es f th e stu ps
r e e em i i o m ,

a d ti d ov e r t h
n e tw thr ee folds f s tr o g
em o or o n

li e t k e p o ff th fli s L ast y a r I w s
n n o e e e . e a
1 00 E ssay on Sheep ,
comp e ll e d to h av this op e ratio n p e r form ed in e

th e h a t f summ e r a d to t a k e o ff th e h r n
e o ,
r n o ,

w h ich w a ve ry l a rg e with i n tw o i ch e s o f th e
s , n

skull ; a n d though it bl e d fre e ly th e a did , r m

ve ry w e ll a n d s e e m e d n o t to fe e l a n i c n ve
, y n o

n ie c e f r m
n th e op e ra tio n a ft e r th e ba n d a g e
o

w a a ppli d
s I t w uld b d i r b l t
e . bt i o e es a e o o a n

sh e e p w it h out h or n s ot o n ly to a void th trou , n e

ble o f cu tti g t h e m but be c a us e th e y a re da

n , n

g e ro n to th e e we s i th f ld in c n v e n i e t to
s n e o , o n

th e sh e e p if th e y fe e d f rom r a cks a d f r e qu e n t , n

l y fa t a l to e ch th r ; f a th e rut ti n g s e a so n
o e or i n

th y w ill figh t wi th such f ury a to occ a sio n

e
‘

th e d e t h o f o e a f th e comb a ta ts n Fe w f o n . o

th e Sp a n ish M e ri e a e fou d h or n l e ss ; wh n
no s r n e

s uch a e f ou d r i f th e y a e e qu a lly p e r fe ct i n
n ,
r

oth r re sp e cts th e y sh ould b e pr f r r d I

e , e e e .

h ve
a f this d e scri ptio n o f fi e siz e a n d
one o , n

figur e ; but th e m a te ri a ls th a t sh ould h a v f r m e o

e d h i h o r s a pp e a r to h a v
s n b e e n t ra s f rred to e n e

h is ho fs wh ic h g r w out to th e l e gth f ix
o ,
o n o s

or e igh t i ch s a n d ust b cut a t l e a st t w ic e

n e , m e

i a
n n or th e y r n d e r h i
se aso , l a e ; th e cut e m m

ti g h ow e v e r is a tte n d e d with l ittl e d i fficulty

n , , ,

a d
n da g r
no n e .

M st p pl bs erve th e s e aso f sh e r i g
o eo e o n o a n

f
or d cki g c stra ti g a d
o n , rki g th ira n , n m a n e

l a mbs I b eli e v e th e docki n g co n tribute s to

.
 1 02 E ssay on Sh eep .

produc d th e e w l ambs m a y b e S pl ayed ; in

e , e

wh ic h c a s e th e y giv e o re wool fatten b e tte r m , ,

an d a e s a id to a fford fi e r m e a t T his Op e r a tio n

r n .

c a n ot be p e r form e d co ve i e n tly b e fore th e

n n n

l a mbs a e ix we ks ld b e c a us e th e w a r m
r s e o , 1s

at a ea rl i e r p e r i d too sm a ll to b e e a sily disti n

n o

g u i h ed
s T h y
. id t e u ff ra re l i ttlsaby o s e so e

th is op e r a tio a t to fe e l a n y i n co n v e n i en c e
n, s no

f rom it f te r th first da y
a e .

T h e tim e f w e a i n g th e l ambs d p e ds
or n e n

u po v a rious circu st a c e s I f th e p a re n t e w e
n m n .

i bro k e n mouth d or
s fa ulty i wool o r i
e , so n n

sh p a to
a e s d r it de sir a bl to ge t r id f h e r
re n e e o ,

th e l a mb u st b e w e a n e d ea rly
m s o a s to a dmi t ,

o f h e b i n g fa tt e d i s e a so n ; i f h e is a dmi tt d
r e n s e

to th e a ar m soo a h e is dispos e d to t ak e
s n s s

hi m ,th a li e e h e will fa t
r er s I f th obj ct is . e e

to r e d r th l a bs a l a rg e a possibl e a d
n e e m s s , n

t h e y a re f suc h a st ck as to ak e th e e w
o o m es

o f co p a r a tiv ly l ss v a lu e it will b e b e st
m e e ,

to le t th e l bs u with th till th e y w e a n
am r n em

th e ms e lv e s b e c a us e t h e y doubt e dly gro w

,
un

th e o r e r a pidly f it T h is m d e I would
m or . o

th e r fore r com
e d wh a M ri o flock
e m en en e n

i to b e gr a fte d u po a co m mo
s e n Butn n one .

i f th w
e e v a l u abl e it c e rt a i ly will b
es a re ,
n e

b est t w e th l bs so a rly to give th

o an e am e as e

o we s som e r spite b e for th y ta k e th e am

e e e r
 E ssay
”

on Sheep . 103

a g a i ; a d i d e e d ,if e rly l a bs a pre f rr d

n n n a m re e e ,

e r ly w e a
a ng bs l ute ly e ess a r y a th e
ni 1s a o n c , s

e w e will s ld t k th e wh il e x h a ust d
om a e e ra m e e

by ursi g I Sp i th y l v th l bs
n n . n a n e ea e e am

wi th th w s till th y we a t h e s lv s I
e e e e n m e e . n

Fr c a d g e e r lly i E gl d th y
an e, n n a n n an , e a re

we a ed t th r
n f ur
a th s ld
ee o rI ord e r o m on o . n

t pr e v
o t th l enbs fr f lli g ff wh n th y
e am om a n o e e

a re we e d t h y s h uld b p ut i t pi c f
an , e o e n o a e e o

you g t d e r gra ss wi th
n en ld qui t w , an o e e e or

wet h e r t d ire ct t h e ir m v e
o ts ; t h y s h oul d o m en e

a lso b e out o f sight d h e a r i g f th e i ri o an n o r t

th e th t th e y ay th e so e r f rg t a ch
rs, a m on o e e

oth r I f th e k e pi g th e
e . p a rt s h u ld be
e n m a o

i co v i e n t t h e y ay be b r ught t ge th e r a t
n n en , m o o

th e d f a f ort ig h t
e n o Som tt tio s h oul d n . e a en n

b p a id to th e w e s f
e th e first w e e k i o r d e r
e or , n

to p re v e t t h e i r su ff r i g by t g r e a t flow f
n e n a oo o

milk wh ic h sh ould b t ak e f r m t h e e e r y
,
e n o m v

d y or two ; a d p e r h ps it wo u ld b e b e st ti ll
a n a ,

th ir ilk w a dri e d u p to k e e p th e m i sc a t y
e m s , n n

p a stu r s e .

It w th pi io f th R om s th a t th
as e o n n o e an e

fi rst l b f r o am e we w g e e r lly wea k d

m a as n a an

pot b lli d ; t h y s p a ra t d such from th i

-
e e e e e e r

fl cks a d f tt d th m ff I b li
o , n a e th p i e o . e e ve e o

i w ll fou d e d b t I thi k it a ris s fr

n on e n , u n e om

th e you g e w e s s e ldom h a vi n g so mu c h
n ilk m ,
1 04

or b e i g o c a re f ul o f th e ir l a mb s a th e older
n s s
'

o es I f th e l a mbs co m e e a rl y it will be n e
n .
;
e

c e ar
ss
y to W e a th e f orw a rd m a l e s b e f ore th e
n

first o f August p a rticul a rly if th e e we s a e i n

, r

h igh ord r or i f s m e a o g th e m h a v e lost

e , o m n

th eir l a mbs e a rly a th e y a

y oth e rwis e i, s m m

pr e g a t th w es s
n e r th
e e i pr p r It is oo n e an s o e .

a v e ry commo pr a ctic e i E urop e to s h a r th e

n n e

lam bs th ug h it i s e ldo do e h e r e ; a n d yet

, o s m n

I thi n k it m r e a d a pt e d to our cl im a te th a to
o n

th a t f orth e r n E urop e
o n T h e h e a t f our sum . o e

m e rs re n d e rs th e wo l v r y burd e n som e to th e o e

l a bs ; a d a our a ut u m s a re ge e r a ll y fin e
m n s n n

a n d d ry th e re is su ffi ci e t tim e fo r th e Wo o l to ’

, n ~

gro w so much a to pr te ct th e m d ur i g th s o n e

Wi te r L a m b s wool a lso s e lls m uch h igh e r

n .
’

h ere f h a tte rs u se th a n n E urop e s a to

or
’
i , o s

re d r th e sh a ri g
n e ore a p oi t o f profit A f
e n m n .

te r th e l a b is shor m h e sh uld be w a sh d a nd n, o e

e r f ctly fr e d f rom th e tick T h oug h I d

p e e . o

n o t w a sh s h e p b f r e s h e ari g I l w ays
‘

y m e e o n , a

h a v th e wa sh d a f t r th e y a e sho r on ce
e m e , e r n,

or twic e d u ri g th e h o tt est wea t h e r a n d th i k

n , n

th a t th e pr a ctic e is us eful in f ree i n g th e m fro m

tick a d pre ve ti g th e sc a b M yl a bs wi l l
n n n . m

drop v e r y a rly th is y e r ; I c t mpl a t sh e a r

e a on e e

i n g a ll th s t int d ed f sale d w sh i g
o e no en or , an a n

th e m t o l y i n ru n i g wa t r but with so a p
no n n n e ,
.
 1 06 E ssay on Sh eep .

be c a us e o f th e clos e n e ss o f th e ir co a ts a n d th e
d li c a t te xture f t h ir ski s ; I h av e h o w e ve r
e e o e n , ,

f ou n d v e r y l ittl e troubl e with it th ugh it h a s , o

a p p e a r e d s e v e r a l ti e s a mo g i n divid u ls o f my
m n a

flock T h e c a re th a t I t a k e to h a v e th e flock
.

d ra w u p a n d e x a mi n e d a t l ea st n c e a
n th o m on ,

h a pr e v e t e d its sp r d i g w h
s n ea it a pp e a r e d
n en ,

a th e i n fe ct e d sh ee p w e r e imm e d i a t e ly s e p a
s

ra t e d a d
,
n ea s u se d f r th e cur e
m n o wh ich ,

h a n e v e r in
s e i st a n c e f a il e d to b
on n e ffe ctu a l e

a f t e r h a vi g be e n thre e or fo ur tim es a p p li e d
n .

For a p a rticul a r a ccou n t f my re m e dy a n d

“

o ,

s ve r a l oth e r s t h a t a re a ppli d to th is d isord e r

e e ,

I sh a ll r e fe r to th e A p pe dix m wh ich I sh a l l
n ,

e n um e r a t e th e d is e a s e s o f sh ee p with th e mos t ,

a p prov e d r e m e d i e s .

T h e st a gg e rs or d izzi n e ss wh ich is a ls o
, ,
“

k ow by v a rious oth e r n a m e s h a occurre d

n n , s

i th r e e i st a n c e s i n my flock a n d a lwa ys a t
“

n n ,

t a ck e d l a m bs u d e r o n e y e a r old ; a d i n d e e d
n n , ,

I b e li e ve it is co fi n e d sol e l y to l a bs Th e y
n m .

w e r e t a k e v e ry sudd e l y a d with ou t a y
n n , n n

pr e vi us symptoms by a spe ci es f co vulsio n

o , o n ,

i wh ich th e e ck w a s twi t e d to n e sid e ; th e y

n n s o

lost th e u e o f th e ir l egs ; wh e r a s e d th e y
s n i

would a tt pt to follow the flock but tur e d

em ,
n

ro u n d a d f ll ; i a f w d a ys th y w i c
n e n e e e re n a

a ble e v e n o f s t a n di g o f mo i n g t h e ir h e a ds or
p n , v
 E ssay on Sheep . 107

an
y t h
of e ir limbs As th e
y w ere v e r
y v a lu a bl e
.

s h p I p a id p articul a r a tte ti to th e m ; gra ss

ee , n on

a n d gr a i w e r e giv e th e wh ich th e y would

n n m ,

rea dily e a t th oug h t h e y coul d

,
t m ve a y no o n

p a rt but t h i r j a ws I t h is stat th y l ay a
e . n e e

w k wit h out m tio e xc e pt f th e ir e y s d

ee o n, o e an

m on th wh f od w a giv
en th e m ; th y th e n
o s en e

so fa r e co ve r e d a to be abl e t sta n d wh th y
r s o en e

w r suppo r t d i w h ic h p st r th i r f od
e e e , n o u e e o

w a giv e th e m but would fa ll d w w h n th e

s n , o n e

suppo r t w a wit h d r aw I a bo u t te d a ys th e y
s n . n n

c uld sta d with ut suppo t but f ll w h th e y

. o n o r , e en

a tt e mp t d t w lk ; t h e ir orio b i g r a th r a
e o a m n e n e

c vulsiv ru n th a a w a lk At i te rv a ls th e y
on e n . n

would ge t b tt r a d b a bl e to wa lk fo so e
e e , n e r m

ti m b u t th e y w e r e a lw a ys f o u d l a yi g i
e, n n n

s om e p a t f th e fi ld a if th e y w e r e d e ad O h
r o e s .

s e r vi g th a t th viv a city o f th e ir e y e s w a t
n e s no

a lt e r d eI dire cte d t h a t th e tt tio i f e di g

, a en n n e n

a n d suppo r ti g th e s h o u ld t b e r e itt d
n m no m e ,

an d i th e c urs e f ab ut ix w ee ks th e y
n o o fa r o s so

re c v r e d a
o e t j oi th e s o f th m n o e ,

h ow v r a you g a
e e , r c iv d a bl w i n r m , e e e o n

h i w a k st t e f r
s e a stro g e r
a th a t kil
om n o n e,

l e d h im ; th th r two r c v r d but v r y
e o e e o e e , e

slowly ; a d v t th
n d f e ig h t
e en o th sa e en o m n

th y b
e v id t r ks f th e i r c pl i t T h is
o re e en m a o om a n .

dis r d r is f u d up
o e diss e ctio t be wi g
o n , on n, o o n
to a bag co n t a i i g w a t e r with i n th e sk ull
n n ,

wh ic h pre ss e s upo n th br a i I t is g e n e r a lly

e n .
t

c sid e re d as i n cura bl e th ough it is s a id by

on ,

oth e rs th at it a y som e ti m e s be r e m e d i d by
m e

tr p a n n i n g : a so ft pl a c e o n th e h ea d i d ic ate s
e n

th e situ a tio n o f th e b ag wh ich i f t a k e n out

, ,

wh ol e will r, v e th e d iso r d r ; oth rs p ass a

em o e e

s h rp wire up th e n ostril i n to th e br a i n a n d
a ,

p e r f r a te th b g: th e suppura ti on th a t th is
o e a

c a sio n s e ffe cts th e cure ; five out o f six h w e v e r , o ,

die u n d e r th is p e r a tio a n d it m a
o
y t h er f re
n, , e o ,

b e j ustly co n sid e r e d a i c u r a bl e by th e d octor

s n ,

but t a I h v e show by th e urs e N a tur e

no , s a n, n .

will e ff e ct th e cure if c a re ts t ak e to fe e d a n d
, n

t e n d th e p a ti e t wh il e h e is O p e ra ti n g h er v e ry
n s

re l u c ta n t a n d t a rdy cu re ; bu t a sh e e p must

be e xtr e m e ly v a l u a bl e to p a y f r t h r ee mo n th s o

c o st
n t atte tion I sh ould a dd th a t I bl e d
an n .
,

th e l a mb s I m en tio e d a n d g a v e t h m a doz e
n , e

of tr a i oil ; b ut I h a v e n o r e aso n to t h i k th at
n n

e ith r o f th e s
e h a d a n y a g e cy in th cur e
e n e .

T h e pu gi g wh ic h sh e p a e subj e ct to in
'

r n e r

th e sp ri n g f th e y e a r
o d wh ich a ris e s fro m
, an

th ir ch a g e f food I do t co n sid e r a a
e n o , no s

d is sea e o f a y co s e qu e c e a nd e xc e pt this a d
n n n , n

th e st a g g r s I k e w f o th t pr e va ils i u r
no o n ne a n o

fl cks w h e p p e rly urish e d W h e n th e y

o n ro no .
‘

a e ill k e pt th e y so
r , e tim e s t a k e colds a d di
m n s
 1 10 E ssay on Sh eep .

would n t e a t in co s e qu e c e o f its b e i n g to o
o n n

t ugh or b e c a us e it p ss e ss e d som e ba d qua

o ,
o

l ity From th is tri al fre que n tl yr e p e at e d it

.
, ,

a pp ea r e d th a t a sh e e p f th e middl e st a tur e o

e a ts a bo u t e igh t pou n ds o f gr a ss i a da n
y .

T h e s a e e xp e rim e ts co d uct e d with th e

m n , n

s a m pr e cis e e ss i g r d t th f dd e rs o f
e n ,
n re a o e o

h a y or tr a w h a v e prov e d th a t a sh ee p f
s , , o

m iddli g h ig h t lik e wis e e a ts d a ily two

n e

pou ds f h a y or two pou n ds a n d a h a l f

n o ,

of str a w .

I n ord e r to a sc e rt a i h ow m a n y pou n ds o f n

g r ss g ta e pou n d o f h a
o o on
y I c a us e d th e ,

gra ss to be w e ig h e d a soo n as cut ; it w a s th e ns

5 ‘
spr e d aclot h s e xpos e d to th e su o th a t
on n, s

no e igh t b lost th o u gh a t th e s a m e tim e

n m e ,

w e ll dri e d B e i n g th us co v e rte d i t h a y
7

. n n o ,

I f ou d its w e ight r e d uc e d to o e fourth ;

n n -

e igh t pou ds o f gr a ss h a d o n ly giv en

n two
p ou n ds o f h a y .

Agricultu r a l ists k ow h ow m a n y c a rt lo a ds
n ,

or truss e s a fi e ld c a produc e ; co s e qu e n tly

, n n

th e y a y j udg e h ow m a y sh e e p it a n
m n c

m i t a i in h ay o i gr ass Th e y h a v e a
a n n r n .

t “
r ul th e fo p ro port
e n
gr th e n umb e r o f ro m n
“
th e i r s h e p t th e q u a tity f p asture a n d
e o n o

f dd e r t h y a supply th e m wit h
o e c n .

“
H a vi g d e t e r mi n e d th e qu a n tity o f solid
n
 E s s ay on Sh eep . III

f ood ss e ti a l to th go d r egim e n f th
e n e o o e

w oll e d ki d I m ad th r xp e r i e ts up
o n , e o e e m n on

t h es a i als i rd e r t k w t w h t tim e
e n m , n o o no a a

th y s h uld d r i k
e o n .

It is w ll k w t h t t h y s ld d r i k
e no n a e e om n

w h th y f d pb fre sh grass but st a d i

en e ee u n , n n

w a t f w a t e r wh f d d r y e a t D if
n o en e on m .

f e re n t pi i s r pu r su d t th p r p r
o n on a e e as o e o e

ti f w t r i g th
m e or I
a e c u tr i e
n em . n so m e o n s

th y e t a k e to wa te
e ar c or twic e v r y
n r on e e e

d y ; i oth e r s n o t f r
a n tw th r e f ur o o ne, o, e , o ,

o r v fi e d ys By th f llowi g e p e ri
e en v a . e o n x

m e ts I h v
n , d a vou r d t sc r t i w h ich
a e en e e o a e a n

o f ll t h e s r e gim e s
a di ffe r t f r om e a c h
e n , so en

ot h e r is e titl e d t pr e f
, n c o e re n e .

I sh ut up i a st bl e i th d e pth f w i n a , n e o n

te a s
r, ll flock f wh ich a ll th e sh ee p we r
m a , o e

m a r k e d wit h a u b e r T h e y w r k e pt n m . e e ,

n ig h t d da y wit h out b e i g su ff e re d to q u it
an , n

it d f d wit h a ixt u re f st ra w a n d f h a y
, an e m o o ,

withou t a y th e a li e t E ch da y a s h ep
n o r m n . a

h r d c a rr i d i h is r s succ e ss iv e ly so e
e e n a m , ,
m

sh e p u t o f th e sta bl t l t th d r i k i
e o e, o e em n n

m
y p r s c out
e en f a v e ss el
e, u
g g e d a t dif o a

f e r o t h ig h ts
n n d t he
e took t h e b a ck i to
, a n m n

th st ble awh t h e y h a d ith e r d ra k or

e, en e n

r fus e d t d r i k
e o n .

B y thi m e th d I k e w how muc h w t e

s o n a r
1 12 E s say o n Sheep .

th e sh e e p h d t a k wh e pre e te d with it
a en, n s n

o c twi e th r ic a h d y, o r o ly o c e
n e, c or e e c a n n

i tw , t h r e e f our or fi e d a ys
n o , , v .

Most f th e sh e e p i th is l i ttl e flock p ss d

o n a e

a m o th i th e stabl with o t d ri ki g : th ir
n n e u n n e

a p e tit e w a s a lw a ys th d th
p a
y p e s m e, an e ex e

r ie c e d
n th r i cno o v i c th e th t f
n on e n en e an a o

t h i r st f w h ic h th e y g v e vid t p r fs b y
, ,
o a e en oo

r u i g t l ick th
nn n o i t l ips f th os c a r ri e d
e m o s o e

b a ck to th e st abl r et u f r d ri ki g e on rn om n n .

T h e r e sult o f th s e e p e ri e ts w h ic h I e x m n ,

c a ot h e re d e t a il le d e to co clud , t h a t
nn , m n e

sh e e p wi th , t h e r uris h t th
no o th a t no m en an

o f d ry h a y a n d with i r e a ch f w a t
, c ul d n o e r, o

p a ss d a ys with ou t d r in ki n g ; b u t th y woul d e

t a k e a gr e a t e r qu a tity f w t e r th e foll wi g n o a o n

da y th a i f th e y h d dr a k th e v e i g b e
n a n e n n

f o r e : th is qu a tity i cr e s s to a c r ta i de
n n a e e n

gr e e if th e v h a e b d pri ve d f w t e r fo r
v een e o a

m a y d ys tog e th e r Th y e th t r
n a . e ar en o

m e t d wi th th i r st
n e f r th y g r to g t , o e a re e a e e

a d p o f w a te r ; i f t h y c uld fi d it i n
ro e o n

a bu d a n c e
n th y would d r i k t pl ti f ul ly
, e n oo en

f or t h e ir te p e r a m e t subj c t a th e y a t
m n ,
e s re o

e ff usio s o f s e r sity wh ich prod uc e

n o r ta l ,
m o

h yd a tid s i th e br a i n a d th e o t a d is e a s e
e n , n r ,

no l ess f t l a a .

T h e b e st pl a n is to d riv e th e floc k e v e r y
I l et
E ss ay on Sh eep .

wh e n fe d upo h ay ; but t h is w a te r is n ot in
n

su ffici e n t qu a tity a d poss e ss e s not th e s a m e

n , n

qu a lity a th e li q uid o f th e grass e va por a ted

s
I

“
i n dryi n g .

Th r e c a n b e n doubt th a t th is di ff e r en c e
e o

“
i n r e gi m is prod uctive f b a d ffe cts I
en o e .

s h a ll m e ti s p r f s f it w h i c h a re
n on om e oo o ,
‘

i d e e d too e vid e t a d too f r e qu en t

n n n .

I c u tri e s wh e re th e s w r m a i s u po n
n o n no e n

th e grou d f r e or tw o m
n th th e c a ttl e
o on on s,

a re r e duc e d to dry f odd e r lo g a s it l as ts ; so n

th e n th e we a k e r sh e e p d c h ie fly th e la b , an m s,

“
th sh e e p o f th e se co d y ea r th e pre g a t
e n , n n

e wes a n d thos e i n milk

,
l a gu is h a d dro p , n n

ff
o Sh e ph e rds d n ot e th is is e r a bl e sta te b y
. e m

s a yi g t h e y m e lt t h e ir fa t : th e y c e rta i ly
n , n

gro w v e ry l e a n a n d fall off in gr e a t n u m

,

h e rs .

I h a ve o f ten r e fle cte d upo th e c a us e f n o

th is e vil a n d th , ea s f pr ev n ti n g it
e m n o e .

A fte r h a v i g p r s e cu te d e v e ry i quiry I could

n o n

th i k o f it a pp e a r d t m e t a ri e sol e l y
n , e o o s

f rom a ch a g e f d i e t too sudd e ly ffe ct e d

n o n e .

I n one da th e sh a e r e duc e d f rom e ig h t

y p ee r

p u ds f grass to a bo ut two pou ds f dry

o n o n o

f dd r a d th r e e p u ds o f w a t e r
o e n Th y o n e
1

a e t h us d p r i v d t h re fo r e a ll t c f
“
r e e , e ,
a on e, o

thre e e ighth s o f t h e ir wo te d o urish m e n t

-
n n . »
 E ssay on Sheep . 1 15

s “
an d th e se three e ighths com p os e d th e h alf f - o

th fluid p a rt o f it
e .

Acc rdi g to my e xp r i e c e o f th e qu an
o n e n

o
"
ti ty f wa te r t a k e n by s h e e p it pp a rs th a t a e
,

th e r d ri k c a
1 ly supply e h a l f f th e
n n on on -
o

“
liquid w h ich gra ss c o n ta i s more th a n h y n a .

It would b d g r us t x cit th e m to d r i k
e an e o o e e n

a gre t r qu an ti ty a e f wa t r b e c a us e th e y a e o e , r

v r y subj ct t i filt ti n I V
e e t th e r e
o n ra o s . e m us ,

f r e e d e vour to s u pply th e
o , n a with a t l e a s t m

a sm a ll q an tity f fresh food e ve ry day in

u o ,

ord e r to corre ct th e b ad eff e cts re sulti n g fro m

d ry m ea t .

T h e m os t s e n sibl e o f th e s e b ad effe cts a p

p ea rs i th e t h ird stom a c h compos e d i th e
n , n

i n te r ior o f a gre a t umb e r f e mbra n e ou s n o m

f lds d et a ch d
o , fr a oth e e a lt h oug h on e om n r,

it i o ly fr m ig h t to te i c h s i ci cum
s n o e n n e n r

f r c e wh e fill d wi th a ir
e en Duri g rumi
n e . n

n a ti th
on , food p a ss e s f rom th e t h ro a t i to
e n

this t h i r d sto ch a d sprea ds amo n gst a llm a , n

th s f lds I h a ve th r e f ou n d it v r y f
e e o . e e re

qu tly p r ch e d a d a l st with re d i
en a , n m o e , n

m a y sh e p w h ic h I h a v e diss e ct e d
n e .

T h is li e t a fte r h a vi g b ee rumi a t d
a m n , n n n e ,

re c e iv s i th t h i r d s t c h f th e sh p
e , n e om a o ee ,

an d o f t h r a n i a ls th a t ch e w th
o e d a m . e en ,

p rep a rati on f r dig e st io wh ich l tte r ta k es

o n, a s
1 16 E ssay on Sh eep .

pl a c e o n ly in th fourth s tom a ch T h e a l i
e . .

m e t is dry in th th ird sto m a ch n ot o n ly

n e ,

wh e n th e a n im al is fe d sol e l y u po dry m e a t n ,

wh ich h as n ot f ur n ish e d su ffici e t liquid but n ,

a l so w h e n a tt a ck e d by som e d is e a s e c a usi
g n

“
too grea t h ea t a n d co n s e qu en tly too gr a t
,
e

e va por a tio f th liquids

n o es r y to dig e s n ec es a

tio n I n th e se c a s e s ba d dig e stio n a d th e

.
, , n

e vils a tt d i g it
en
y nb pr v
,
e n t e d by givi n g
m a e e

som e gre food a t l e ast o n c e a da y

en .

At all tim e s wh e n th e grou n d is n o t cov e r e d

with s ow sh ee p fin d u po n it su ffi ci e n t f re sh
n ,

f d t r e n d r it u
oo o e c e ss a ry to giv e th e m
e nn

a i n th e r a ck wi th th e ir d ry m e a t in a ba d
n
y ,

s e aso n I h a v e o fte n stopp e d in th e m idst f

. o

a flock in fi e lds h a l f cov e r e d with s n ow

f ‘
, ,

wh e re n gra ss wh a te v e r w a to be s e n ; th e
o s e

sh e p h w v e r h a vi g th ir e y e s n e a r th e
e , o e , n e

grou d p e r c e i e d th e p oi n ts o f som e l ea v s
n , v e ,

a n d scr a tch e d with th e ir f e e t to fin d mor e o f

t ‘

th e pl a t ; t h y t h e s e iz e d it wi th th e i r t ee th
n e n ,

a n d som e tim e s pull d up th e r ots a lo g wi th

e o n

th e l e a v e s But wh e th e s ow en tire ly c
. n n o

v e rs th e g rou d t a c e r ta i th ick ess th e re

n o n n ,

is no oth r re cours t h a in th e pl a n ts w h ic h
e e n

a re h ig h ugh t e a bl e th e s h e p e a sil y
en o o n e

to r e m v e th s ow wh ich co v rs t h e
o e n e m .

T h e re a re m a n y ki n ds o f c a bb ag e s such ,
 E ssay on Sheep .

ar el e ss th a n th o s e o foth e r c abb ag es but th e ,

‘

“
j uic e th e y co nt a i n is a bu n d a n t ; th e y a re
as

e qu a lly good food for th e sh e ph e r d a we l l s

a h i flock
s s Som e h a n d f uls f t h e s e l e a ve s
. o

giv e to a sh ee p will corre ct th e bad e ffe cts

n ,

o f d y f od
r o .

T he gimre f sh p ien o f th e im
ee s on e o

porta t bra ch e s f v e te ri a ry m e d ici n e Thi

n n o n . s

sci e c is t b s tablish d o ly by we ll
n e o e e e n

f u d d
o n e xp e ri e c e With obs rva tio n a n d
e n , e

e xp e rim en t f r e qu e tly r e p e a t e d n n th e s e a i o n

m a ls A n i n tim a te a cqu a i t a c e with th e m

. n n

“
i t h i r a tura l st a t e is
n e n c e ss a ry b efor e at
, ne

te m p ti n g to c ure th e ir diseas es .
”
 ( 1 19 )

CH A PT E R III .

ME R I N O S H E E P .

ONE p r i ip l bj cts f this E ss a y

of th e nc a o e o

b i g t i pr e ss upo
e n o m
y f llow citi s th n m e z en e

if p t c e f cultiv ti g th is mos t v a lu bl
n or a n o a n a e

b r e e d f sh e p I propos e to d e vot e th is c h pt e r
o e , a

to th e m i a d d itio
, to wh a t I h a ve a lrea dy
n n

O ne fi rst id e as t h a t strik s th fa r e r
of th e e e m

is t h a t h i h ee p
, a
s s
y d g e rat n d th a t i f
m e en e, a

t e qu a lity
h f th e i r w l shoul d ch a n g e h e
o oo ,

w ould h a v put h i s l f to g r e a t e xp e s e to
e m e n

c h a ge a s h
n p f b tt r si e a d for f r e
ee o e e z n m o on

w h ic h h e i gi n s to b i f m a b th ; a d
e e n e r1 o r 1 n o n

h e is str gth e d i en t h is pi i n by h a vi g
ne n o n o n

obs e r v ed th t most f th e B ri tish s h e e p t h t

, a o a

h a v fr e ti
om t t e b m e br g h t h re h a e
o im ee n ou e , v

d g e r a t d T h is I c fe ss v e ry g ra lly to
e en e . on ene

h av h ppe a d but I d y th at a y i f r c
ene , en n n e en e

i nj urious t th M ri o b r d a b dra w n
o e e n ee c n e

f
ro m it T h Britis h s h p h re a llud e d t a re
. e ee e o

th l g wooll d f r t h rs w r th oug h t
’

e on -
e , o no o e e e

b ette r th a n our o w n T his r a ce f sh p a . o ee c n

1 20 E ssay on Sh eep .

o ly b e a d va t a g usly a i t i n ed o n rich a n d
n n eo m n a

l uxuri a t p astu r s a d a a mpl e supply o f suc

n e , n n

cul e n t food duri g th e wi t e r E xp e ri e c e n n . n

h a t a ug h t us t h a t rich p a stur e s vV ill a dd to th e

‘

l e n gth a n d q ua lit y f woo l u n a tiv e h e e p

o on o r s ,

an d t h t b a d k e e pi g will dim i ish i t

a VV ith
n n .

out a tt ti t t h is ci cu st c th l g
en on o r m an e, e on

wooll e d sh e e p h a v e b e tra f e rr d f rom th e en ns e

f s a d m a rsh e s o f E gl a d a d H oll a n d to
“ '

en n n n n

ou r d r y sh ort s w e e t p asture s ; f rom wh ich it

, ,

w a s e xp e ct e d th a t l a bouri n g u n d r a th ick c oa t
?

, e

o f lo g wool n n d co t e di g with our u

, a n n n s m

m er u st h y s h ou ld b e a bl e t o fill th e i r l a rge
n, e

c rc a s s Not h a vi g p a st u re s a d a pte d to th e ir
a e . n

siz e a d th e ir h a bits th e y could t sub ist bu t

n , no s

by g a d u a lly a ccommo da ti g t h e s e lv e s to
r n m

ou r s T h is e c e sa rily oc c a si e d a d i i utio n ,
. n s on m n

first i th e q u lity f th wool a d n ext in th e

n a o e , n

si e f t h i r d esc e d a n t ; b esid e s th a t it was

z o e n s ,

v e ry r r to bta i n th e f u ll bre d s h e p both

a e o e ,

ra m s a d e w s d t p re s e rv e th e u x e d
n e , an o m nm t .

I f th r a ms br e d with o u
e w e s th e i r prog e n y r e ,

w uld soo b e r e d uc d to th e si e f th e e w e s ;
o n e z o

di r ctly b e c a us e o f th e ixture a n d i d i
e ,
m , , n

rec tl
y f r om , th e w e s n o t b e i g a bl et a ff or d n e o

n ou r ish t to a l a rg e r st ck th a n
m en a tu r e de o n

sig e d h t supp t with u t th e m ost u n c m

n er o or ,
o o

c a r i fe e di g h e r wh il e sh e g a v e m ilk
"

m on e n n .
 Essay on Sh eep .

as sh ort cl s e wool o f th e Meri n o sh ows

th e , o

h is sh a p e pr e cis e l y
B ut to r e tur n to th e q u e sti on o f th e de ge n e
ra tio n o f th e M e ri n o sh e e S f ar a a sc a r
p o s ~
.

c it o f f ood m a I h a v e s a id op e rate a
y .

y a , s ,

ch a n ge f r th e wors e in s h ee p it c a ot a pply
o , nn

to th e M i w h i n tr d c d i t u cou n
er n o en o u e n o o r

try ; b e c a us e n o t re q u iri ng b e tt e r p a stur e s t h a n

,

ou r ow sh ee p th re is r a so f r th e ch a n g e
n , e no e n o

o f siz e a t l ea s t suc h ch a n g e a s th e wool o f th os e

,

sh e e p th a t h a ve b ee n i trodu c e d f rom Brit a i n n

h as u n d e rgo e : th is w as a ch a g e i th e qu a n
n n n ~

tity r a th e r th a n in th e q u a l ity W h e n a sh e e p .

d imi n ish e d i n siz e it would h a v e b ee n a v e ry ,

u wis e provisio n o f
n a tur e to h a v e su ffe r e d h im n

to c a rry th e s a m e qu a tity o f w l wh ich h e

'

n oo

bor e u po n a l a rg e r a d a stro g r c a r c a ss ; h i n n e s

W ol th e r for e dimi ish e d i

o , e l e gth i th e
, n n n n

s a m e m a n e r th a t h is c arc a ss d id i siz e ; b u t
n n

th e qu a lit y f th e wool r e o a i n e d th e s a m m e , o r,

i f a y th i g ch a g e d f r th e b e tt r So if th e
n n , n o e .

l a rg e a d i mpro e d bre d f M e i
n vw e re e o r n o es

k pt u p v ry sc a ty p a sture s th e y would d i
e on e n ,

m i ish in si e a d c a rry sh or te r fl ee c e s ; b u t
n z , n

th s fl c e s e ve u d e r th e worst k e e pi g
o e ee , n n n

w u ld till r t i a ll th e ir origi a l prop e r ti e s

o s e a n n .

W e a e o ft t ld o f th e i fl e c o f clim a t e
r en o n u n e

i n e ffe cti g ch a g e s : th a t it op e r a t e s I c a n b e
n n
 E ssay on Sheep . 1 23

l i e v e but I a lso b li e v e t h a t it o p e ra t e s v r y
, e e

sl wly a n d th at u til e xp r i e c e h a de te m i
o , n e n s r n

e d th e fa ct it is i possibl to say w h e th r th a t
, m e e

O p e r tio will be f r th e b e tte r or f th e wo rs e

a n o or .

F m y w n p r t I b e li e v th a t th c h a g e i
or o a ,
e e n n

th e M e r i o s h e p brough t i n to a y
n ort h e r
e n n n

cou try pro v id d t h e y e pl e ti fully f d will

’

n ,
e ar n e ,

b e f r th e b tt e r a d p a rticul a r ly wh
o e brought
, n en

i t t h is St a t w h r th p stu r s
n o e,
g d t h e e
e e a e a re oo ,

a ir a d w a t e rs p ur
n th e wi t e r cold a n d th e e, n s ,

s umm e r r a g f ur is h e d wit h sh a d e
n eI s houl d n .

h a v e pr e sum e d th is i rea so i n g a p rio i a d I n n r , n

h a v e f u d y th e ory co n firm d by a ctu a l e x

o n m e

e rim e n t
p .

I am m e n tio n a circumst a c e n
n ow to n o

wh ich I grou n d y r e aso i g wh ich ay a p m n n , m

e a r fa ci f u l to t h os e wh o h a v e
n o t a tt e d d to n n e
p
th pr e fs f th improv e m e t f M e r i n o sh e e p
oo o e n o

i h ig h l a titud s
n T h e M e ri o d i ffe rs
e e n m or

e ss e ti a lly f r m e e y o th e r k i d
n o f s h e e p th a
v r n o n

th eSp a n ia l do e s from th e M a sti ff a d y t , n e no

one h a s ee n a y ch a g e i e ith o f t h s
s n
p n n er o e s e

ci s f dogs i a cours f g r a tio s

e o n in e o en e n , or

cli t xc e pt by i t r ixtur
”

a n
y m a e, e f th e n e m e o

b r ds : I a y th M e r i d i ff rs ss e ti ally fro
ee s e no e e n m

a l l th r s h p
o e d ev fr
ee a ll , th e r qu a d
an en om o

ru
p d e f w h
s oi c h w e hav a
y k owl dg s e n n e e, a

a n a u a l do es f r m
nn p e re n i a l pl t A ll o a n an .
1 24 E ssay on Sheep .

qu a dru p eds c h an g e th e i r co ats e ve r y ye a r a n d ,

i n d e d g n e r a lly twic e a y a r : th e M ri n o
e e e e

s h p e v e r ch a g e s h is c o a t ; o n th e c n tra ry
ee n n o ,

i t will co n ti n u e to gro w f rom y ea r to y e a r d , an

a t th e e n d f th e th ird y e a r th e fl e e c e will yi e l d
o

a three y e a rs cr op with l ittl or d i i u tio n

, e no m n .

T h is xp e r i e t h a b
e t r i d i Fr a c in
m n s ee n e n n e,

Switz rl d a d i E gl a d f r th e cours f
e an ,
n n n n , o e o

thre e y e a rs u e w l y n d a lways with thes cc ss e , a

s a e r e sult T h w l f th is sh e e p th e n re
m . e oo o

s e mbl e s t d ura t o 1nh u a h a ir a n d ay

1 s i n m n , m

p rob bly b e subj e ct to th e s a m e p h ysic a l l a ws

a .

Hum h a r an ff ct d by th e tissu e f th e ski n

i 1s a e e o

th ro u g h wh ich it p a ss e s I w a rm clim a te s th e . n

h a i r f a is g e r a lly bl a ck a d co a rs e ; i n
o m n ne n

cold o e s w e fi d fl ax e y e ll w
n nd v a ri us n, o , an o

sh a d e s f brow t be th e pre v a l e n t colours

o n, o

a d n v wh e r e th e h a ir t a k e s a d e e p e r sh a d e
e en ,

i t fi e r t h a th e l a k bl ck h a ir o f th e south
1s n n n a .

M a y t t h is b wi g i som e sort to th ski n

no e o n n e

b em
g or e b r ac d i
m e a d m r l ax eth e n on n o e 1n

o th e ? a n d will it t p r od uc e th e s a e ffe ct
r no m e

upo th e wool o f a a i a l wh os e fl e e c e is pe
n n n m

ia l p a rticul a r ly if th f o d a d a
re n n ,
g e o n n 1 n vr o

r a te t th e v ry ti e th a t th e cli a t e bra c e s
a e m m

th fib r s ? It is s a id t h a t th e wo l f th e c
e e o o om

m sh e e p is s e tim es c a rs r a h
on om e it h r o e , s e 1s e

w l l or ill fe d T h is m a y h ap p e if h e is e ith e r
e . n
 1 26 E ssay on S / zeep .

t e n d to u n bra c e th e ski a d give a n e as y p as n n

s ag t th e h a ir
e o W fi d a x a ct a n a logy b e
. e n n e ~

t w e th e ff ct f cl im a t e u po th e cov e ri n g
en e e o n

o f sh e e p a n d th a t f oth e r qu a drup e ds o T he
s h e p u d e r th e l i
e n a r h a iry ; a s you go n orth
ne e

th e y b e c m woolly ; a n d fa r th e r n rt h th e
o e o

w l is fi st ; th b s t w l i G r
oo ne e y is th a t
e oo n e m an

o f Sax y T h e m oist clim at e o f E n gl a n d a n d

on .

Ir l a d p r odu c s l g d co a rs e w ol It is
e n e on an o .

tru e th t fi e wo l is a lso f ou n d i n P e rsi a a n d

a n o ,

i n C a ssim r e a d Th ib e t but th is is o ly i th e
e n , n n

v r y c ld a d m u t a i ous p a rts
e o n f th os e cou n
o n n o ~

tri s e T h e sh ep f Sib e ri a a e co a rs e h a ir e d
. e o r -
,

but th e y h a v e b e l o w th a t h a ir a co a t o f e xtre m e l y
fi e w ol ; th e y a e th e M u fl
n o or A g ali a l
r o on, r ,

most i th e ir a tiv e st a t e in wh ich m a h a t a k en

n n , n s

l it tl p a i s to cultiv a t e th e wool a t th e e xp en s e
e n

o f th h a ir but p e rmitt e d th e m to grow t g e

e , o

th r ; a n d i d d i t h a t st a te it i b e st a d a p t d
e n ee n s e

to th e w a ts f th e i n h a bita ts wh o k n ow t th e
n o n , no

u se o f th l but w e a r th e ski f th e sh e e p
e oo m , n o ,

11 1 wh ich c s e th h ir is a us e f ul a s th e wool ;
a e a s

f o it prot e cts th e
r a it d id its o gm a l ow e r
m , s n n ,

a g a i st r a i
n a d s ow n wh ich woul d p e e tra te
n n ,
n

th e w l w e re it t cov r e d by a surtout o f
oo no e

h r : t th prob bl e th a t th e M ri o sh e e p
ai i 1s en a e n

d o es n ot w e its p culi a r e xc e ll e c
o to th e cli
e n e

m a te o f Sp i o r t th e od e f tr e atm e nt
a n, o m o .
 E ssay on Sheep . 1 27

S p a i n a s I h a ve s a id co t a i s a gr ea t n umb r
, , n n e

of l g wo ll e d sh e e p i ve ry re sp e c t di ff r
on -
o , n e e

c u t f rom th e M e r i o : th clim a t h a h d n e e s a no

e ffe ct i m e l iora ti g th e i r fl c e s ; th ig r ti
n n ee e m a on

d e s n t co trib u t t it T h y h v i v r i u
o o n e o . e a e n a o s

p a r ts f Sp a i a d p a rticul a rly i E t a a d
o n, n n s r m u ra ,

M rin o e th t e v e r migr a t e a n d wh s w ol
e s a n , o e o

is n o t i fe rior to th a t o f th e
n ig r a ti n g s h p m ee

a d th y h v
n b th i F r n
e a ed I t ly o ig t n a c e an a m ra

i n g sh ee p whos e wo l is t fi e o no n .

"
W h e n n a tur e forms a c h a g e i a n y sp ci e n n e s

o f pl a ts or im als it do e s so v e ry ldw lv d
n an , s , an

a lw a ys i such a w a y a b tt r t a d a pt th to
n s e e o em

th e clim a t e i n wh ich th e y a to b a tur li e d re e n a z .

T hus s m pl a ts wh ich a re pe re ial i w r m

, o e n ‘
nn n a

c l im a t e s b th ro t a d bra c h a e a u a ls i
, o o n n r nn n

c old e r o e s ; or w h il e th e r
n t f th e rs su rv iv oo s o o e

th wi t r th e i r st ms are a u lly r e w e d
e n e , e nn a en .

T h s a e pl a t will f r
e m a t re i o e cli
n te o m e n n m a

a d a s h rub i
n a th e r T h is I h ve ys l f
n no . a m e

wit e ss d i th fig whic h I h a ve s e e f th e
n e n e , n o

si ze o f b e ar i g ppl e tree wh il e l i ttl ore

a n a -
,
a e m

no r th it wa a s h r ub f v e r y d r a t siz I f
s o m o e e e .

th e th e f u
n f qu drup e ds d th e h i r f
ro a a an a o m n

a e fi e
r i h ig h th a i l w l a titud e s w h y if
n r n n n o , ,

th e clim a t e e ff cts a y c h g i th e M r i
e n an e n e

n o s s h uld it n t b f r th e b ett e r ? My w
e ,
o o e o o n

e xp eri e c h s t b e n s gre a t a t p e r i t
n e a no e o s o m
32 8 E ssay on Sheep .

m e to build much upo it si c e my sh e e p we r e n , n

o ly i trod uc e d i
n n 1 8 0 2 ; but a fa a i t go e s
n s r s ,

i t l e a ds e to be li v e i
m th e am e lior a ti
e o f th e n on

sh ee p e ith e r fro th e e ffe cts o f clim a te or fro m

, m ,

a tt e n tio T h e o r igi a l st ck w e r e c h os e n wit h

n . n o

v e ry p e cul i a r c a r e i Fr a n c e a ft r th e os t n ,
»
e m

c a r e f ul x a a t e f th i r des c nd
m 1n 1 on ts ; t h y
o e e an e

h a v e improv e d in siz b e a uty o f form a d ’

e, , n

q u a n tit a
y d qu a l ity n f th e fl e e c e T h tw o o . e

first imp r ov e m e ts a re too obvious to a d it f n m o

th e l e a st doubt ; th l a st r e qui re s o ic e dis

e .
s n a

cri i a ti on a to m a k e th e d e cisio
m n s re diffi n m o

cult i ll b u t e i st a n c wh e r e th d i ffe re c e
n a on n e, e n

is so striki g a to b vid e n t to e ve ry obs e rver

n s e e .

I r e fe r to a ra l a mb f th e l a st spri g w h i
m o n , o s

ou t o f a importe d we wh il e h is sir e (w h i
n e , o s

a lso by th s a m e da m ) w a b r e d upo y f rm '

e s n m a .

Th is l a b is f th most co mo siz e a d
m o e un m n n

b e a uty ; h is fl e e c c m pa re d wit h th at of a y e, o n

oth r f y improv e d s h e e p or wi th a ny
e o m ,

sa m pl e t h a t I h v b ee a bl e t bta i f oth e r s
a e n o o n o ,

is i d is puta bly uc h fi r
n d a t th e s am e
m ne , an ,

tim e o l g a d a b u n d a t t h a t I h a v e l ittl e
s on n
" n
, ,

doubt f h is yi ldi g a t l ea st e ig h t pou ds f

o e n n o

w ol th first sh
o e *
ri g I impo r te d th e su m e
ea n . m r

b e fo l a s t v y fi e ra whos e fl e e c e h a by
re a er n m ,
s,

H e h as b e e n s h or n s in c e h
t is 1 1 e nt to th e p r e s s, an d g av e n i n e p ou n d s s ix

o u n c es o f w o o l .
1 30 E s say on Sh eep .

q u a n tity o f cl oth m a d e a t Cle rmo n t by c o m

w as
m on cou n try spi n e rs a d w e a ve rs from on en n
‘

u n d f our ou n c e s o f Cl e rmo n t M eri o wool ;

p o n

a n d t h irty two a n d a h a l f y a rds o f tw e n ty fi e

- -
v

a n d a h a l f i n ch e s w i d w e re m a de Mr E e, d ; in .

w a rd P Livi gsto s fa ily from sixteen an d

. n n
’
m

thr ee fourths p u ds f w lf
-
o n o oo .

I n th e ye a r 1 7 2 3 Me ri n o sh e e p w e r e c arri e d
to Sw d e wh e e th e y h a v e gr a tly multipli e d ;
en , r e

a n d r t a i e d th e ir origi a l purity
e n I f lo g col d n . n

wi nte rs a n d e v e n b a d k e p i g would c h a n g e
,
e n ,

t h e m fo r th e wors e th e y would h a v e e x pe ri ,

e n c e d th a t ch a n g e i n u p w a rds o f e ighty y ea rs ,

d uri n g wh ich th e y h a v e so gre a tly multip li ed

a s to h a v e stop p e d th e im p ort a tio n o f Sp a n is h
'

W ool i n to Sw e d e n I d ee d th e e x p e ri e n c e o f
. n ,

a n u m be r f o th e r a tio n s h a s put it out o f doubt

o n ,

th a t th M ri n o sh e e p d
e e o t d e g e n e r a t e by be o n

in g c a rri e d to a c old clim a t e Th is fa ct b e i g . n

o c e e st ablish e d
n wh a t i to stop th ir progre ss
, s , e

i n our o w cou t r y ? I h a v e a lr a d y show n

n n e

h w th e most i n d ig e n t cultiv a tor m a y in th e

o ,

c ours e o f a fe w e a rs co n v e rt h is commo n sh ee p
y ,

i to Me i e
n n o t o n ly without e xp e n s e
r no s, b ut ,

with p r fit I f h e fe ars th at th e y are mor e de

o .

l i a te a d r qui r e more c a r e th a our commo n

c , n e n

sh e e p I a a s ure h im from my w e x pe
, c n s ,
o n

ric u c e th a t thou h l ik e all ot h e r s t h e will b e

, g y
 E ssay on Sheep . 1 3l

th e b e tte r f r b e i n g w e ll k e pt ye t th e y wil l t
o , no

Su ff e r mor e f rom e gl e ct ; th e ir th ick a n d clos

n e

fl e e c e s fit th em f b a r i g c ld a n d th e y wil l
or e n o ,

i e ve ry mix d flock b e fou d a mo g th e m s t

n e n n o

th r i f ty i th s v re st w a th e r T h e bj e c
n e e e e . o -
p

t io n to t h e ir siz e I h a ve sh own to be ill fou d n

ed , i f h e d r a w h i st ck f rom th e improv e d s o

Me ri n o ; a n d v e if h e b e gi s with n e o f
e n n o

th e smll ra c h w ill i s
a e, e
y r s b y , n om e ea ,

b ree d i g out o f good e w e s a dv a n c e gr a du a ll y

n ,

to th e si e f th e d a s z o N r le t h im b e u d e r
m . o n

th e l e a st a ppr e h e n s i o th a t h e will n ot in th i
n s

w a y h a v e a fi e w ol a s if h e br e d out o f f ull
s n o

b lood w e s e It i ow . w e ll e stablish e d as
s n so

n ot e ve to a dmit f th e sm a ll e st doubt th a t a
n o ,

M e ri n o i th f ourth gen e ra tio n from e v e n th e

n e ,

w orst wooll e d e w e s is i n e v e ry r e sp ec t equ a l to

,

th e stock o f th e sir e No d i ff e r en c e is n ow
.

m ad e i E urop e in th e choic e f a ra m
n wh e o ,

th e r h e is a full bre d r fift e sixt e e n ths I n

-
o e n- .

d ee d D r Pa rry m a i n t a i n s fro m h is w expe

, .
, o n

rie n c e t h a t th e y a re su pe rior to f ull blo d r a ms

,
-
o .

H s a ys t h a t th e w o l o f h i flock ( w h ich c o
e o s n

s ists o f sh ee p in th e f ourth g e n e r a tio n f rom th e

R y e l a n d e w s ) w as i nj ur e d w h n h e put a fi e
e e n

f ull blood Sp a ish ra

-
to it ; a n d a ss e rts t h a t
n m ,

a n
y p e rso n b e gi i g a stock wi th a n i
nn n po r t ed m

r am ,wil l b e e i ght ye a rs b e hi n d o n e th a t b gi ns e
1 32 E ssay on Sh eep .

w ith a fifte e n s ixtee n th s

-
l an d Meri of th e R ye
n o ; a n d I c a n e a sil y b e li e v e th a t th e r e is som e

j ustic e in th e r e m a rk s m e e I c an n ot co n c e ive ,

th at o e sixt een th o f commo n bl od wh ich wil l

n - o ,

o n ly b e n e t h irt s e co n d i th e o ff s p ri n g c a n
y o n
- -
,

m ak ae d i ff e r e c e i n th e fl e e c e ; wh e r e a s n co
y n n

s id ra b le d i ffe r
e c b ccen i e d im t h
a e e o as o n e n
y
b e a uty a n d vigour o f th e flock by th e ra m h a v
i g b e e br e d f
n n f ou r g e r a tio s f rom e w es
, or ne n ,

o f th e cou n t r y a ssimil a t e d to th e clim a t e a n d to

,

th e m a n n e r o f k ee pi g n .

As I h a ve m e n tio e d th e R y e l a d e we s as th en n

b a sis wh ich Dr Pa rry f orm e d h is stock it

"

on .
,

w il l b e prop er to giv e som e d e scri p tio n o f th e m ,

oth e rwis e it migh t b e th o ugh t th a t th e y pos

s ess e d som e p e c ul i a r e xc e ll e n ci e s n o t to be
f ou n d ii1 our sh ee p A n a ccou n t o f th e m is
.

i n s te d i th e A n n a ls o f A griculture vol xx
er n , . .

p 1 5 T h e y a re sh ort wo oll e d sh e e p y i e ldi g

. .
-
, n

fl e e c e s f f rom o n e a n d a h a l f to two pou ds

o n .

T h e b e st o f th s e fl e e Ce s s e ll a t two sh illi g s
e n

a n d s ix p e n c e st e rli n g th e po u n d
-
with out th e ,

b e a c h in g ; th e y w e igh wh e
r s fa t fourte n , n , e

p ou ds a qua rt e r From th is d e scriptio it is

n . n

p r tty cl e a r th a t th e y a re n ot b e tt e r th a n o u r
e

s h ort wooll e d Ne w E gl a n d sh e e p
-
a n d yi e l d
-
n ,

l e ss w ool It h a lw a ys a pp e a r e d to m e th a t ou r
. as ,

n a tiv e stoc k h as b e e n i nj ur e d i n th is St a t e an d ,
 1 34 E ss ay on Sheep .

th e whol e o f h is progre ss h e is a n n u al ly a ddi n g

to th e v a lu e f his fl e e c e s a n d s e ll i g ff o ld
o , n o

s h e e p i n st e a d o f l a mbs th us r e imb rsi g h im , u n

se l f fo r th e e xp e s e f h is a wh ic h is th o ly
n o r m ,
e n

e xtr a e x p en s e h h a sust a i e d ; a d h e is a ls o
e s n n

a rti g wi th a n u b e r o f m a l e l a mbs a t a
p n . m

h ig h r p ic th
e rh w e a cc s t and t r c e iv ee as u om e o e

f o r t h os e o f h i old stock T h e wool o f a com

s .
:

m fl ck b r ly p ys th e k e pi g th ir o n l y
on o a e a e n e

p rofit ris e s f r m th
a s al e f shoee p a d l a mb s e o n ,

w h ic h supp si g th fl ck to c
, o sist f fi fty we
n e o on o e s

a d fi f ty w e th e rs a d ra
n s a d th a t th irty fiven m , n -

a re s l d ff y a rly w h ic h is s m a y a c a be
o o e ,
a n s n

c a lcul a te d u p o n with thos e c ssary t k e e p p e» n e o u

th e stock th e cl a r profit will b e s e v e ty d oll a r

, e n s

u po n e h u n dr d sh e p
on A h a l f blo d flock
e e . n -
o

w il l bri g i th e i cr e a s e
n , nf qu a tity d n o n an

v a lu f th e fl e c d oll a r a d o e u p '

e o o e e, ne n m r on

e a ch sh e p * e ve e c u ti g th s a l e s f l a b
, n o n n e o m s

a t th r a t e f commo s h e e p T h e s e c d y e a r
e o n . on

th e th pu r c h s r f a ra will r c e i v e n e
n, e a e o m e o

h u dre d n d s v e ty d ll r s profi t i stea d o f

n a e n o a , n

s v ty W h en th e flocks a re thr e e fou r ths

e en .
-

b r d h is w ol will ris e t e i gh ty e c e n ts i
ee , o o -
on n

th p u d ( I st a t th low st r a t
e o n . mi e o f th a t
e e e e, n

gr d e s lls a t n e d oll a r ) T h is will give h im a

a e o .

T hed iff er e n c e o f p r o fit b e tw e e n th e h lf b d
a -
re e an d th e c om m on s h e ep ,
at m y l t h
as S eari n g , W
t a s tw o d llo ar s an d s ix c en ts
p er h d ea .
 E s say on Sheep . 1 35

c l a r profit o f n e d ll r a d fi ft y c e n ts per h d
e o o a n ea

b y d th e v al ue f h i old fl ee c e or o e h
e on o s , n un -
s

dr e d a d fi fty d ll a r s dd d to th p r ic
n o f h ee p a e e e o s

so l d a t s v e ty br ngi n g h is p r ofit t tw h u
e n , i o o n

d re d d tw ty d ll rs cl e a r f ll xp s e
an en o a o a e en .

W h e n h is flock co s is ts f s v e ighths br e d n o e en -
e

sh p h i w l will r is e t e d ll r n d twe n ty
ee , s oo o on o a a

fi ve c e ts th pou d ; I s ll i e a t e d ll ar
n e n e m n on o

a d fi fty c e ts
n Supposi g th fl c s f h is
n . n e ee e o

e w e s a d we th e rs n t a k n tog th e r t we ig h , e e , o

th r ee a d a h l f pou ds hi fl ck will bri g

n a n , s o n

h i m a ft e r d e ducti g a ll xp s s w h ich I ra t e
,
n e en e ,

at e d oll a r a d fi fty c e n ts p e
on h e a d tw d l
n r , o o

l ars a d se ty fi e c e n ts e a ch xcl usiv f

“

n ven -
v , e e o

l a mb ; t h a t is tw h u dr e d a n d s e v e ty five
s , o n n -

d ll rs ; w h ic h a dd d t th e h ee p sol d s e v e n t y
'

o a ,
e o s ,

d ll rs a k es a cl e a r profit f t h r e h u dre d
o a , m o e n

a d f r ty fi
n o d ll r s -
u a lly W h e h is floc k
ve o a an n . n

a e f ull b
r d h e will r e c e v tw d ll a rs per
-
re , i e o o

p ou d
n f r h is wool which a t t h r e a n d a h l f
o , , e a

p ou ds
n t h e fl e c fl will gi v h i e s e vee d ll a rs
“
e m n o

p er h d ea d d ucti g
, th e k
o r, pi eg fi e a d n ee n , v n

a h a l f d ll r s ; t h t is fi h u dre d d fi fty
’
o a a , ve n an

d ll a rs
o dd d to s h e p sold s v ty m a ki g
, a e e , e en , n

a na ua l pr fit
nn f ix h u d r d a d tw e t y d l
o o s n e n n o

la rs te a d o f s e v e ty whic h h i commo n sh e e p
l ns n , s

Min e av eraged th e l ast sh earing up w ar ds of five p ou n d s th e ew e s

’
fl eec e .
 1 36 E ss ay on Sh arp .

Would h a v e brou gh t h im I th is I h a ve st at ed . n

n th i g f
o n th e i cr e a s d v a lu e o f th e l a mb s
or n e

sold l e st it h ould b e s a id th a t n o s a l e ay o ffe r

, s
‘
m

f o r th e m T h is h ow e v e r is a n e rror in a co u n
.
, , , ,
~

try so r a pidly i n cr ea si n g a ours n d wh ich do e s s , a

n o t gro w n e fif th o f th e wool n e c e ss a ry f
-
o its or

o w co sumpti
n n ; d w h a
on l l th t ck (i f
an en e s o

sh e e p will be co v e rt e d by i n te llig e n t fa rme rs

n

i to M e i
n t h e r w il l be a d e m a d f r l a mb s
r n o e s, e n o

for a t l e st tw e ty y ea rs a t a n a d va c e d pric e ;
a n , n

s o th a t I h a v e h e sit a ti n i s a yi g th a t th e
no o n n ,

p rofit upo th e l n bs will b e m r e th a n e qu al

am o

t t h a t f th e wool
o o To stat e th e a cco u n t f i r l y
. a

th e n, th e a n u a l pr fit sh ould be doubl e d
n o .

P ov d d th e f rm r s ts o u t with th e b est stock

r i e a e e ,

a n d t a k e s c a r e to bre d o ly f r m good e w e s e n o ,

h e will fi d d m a d f r a n y n umb e r h e m a y
n e n o

wish to p a rt with .

I h a v e a lr e ady a t i c p at e d wh a t it w a s n e c e s
n i

s a ry to a a to th e choic e
s f th a d th e
y s e a o r m , n

m an ner f formi g a n d k e e pi g a flock

o n It n .

m a
y h ow
, e ve r b e s a id th a t wh e
, th is br e e d is, n

more di ff s ed th e pric e o f th e wool will fa ll

u , .

I m n o t o f th is o p i io b e c a us e b e sid e s our
a n n, ,

ow th e r e will be a fore ig n d e m a d T h is
n, n .

wool n ow s e lls in E gl a n d a t s e v e n sh illi gs a n d n n

th r ee pe c e ste rl i g a n d is c n sta tly risi n g

-
n n , o n .

But a dmi t th a t it s h o ul d fa ll it is c erta i n th a t ,

he will more r a dily p u rch ase a ram a t on e
e

h u ndr de a d fi fty d ll a rs
n t h a n h e wo u ld h a ve
o ,

b ught h im a t o n e h u n d e d if h e c ld o n l y s e l l
o r , ou

h i l a mb a t tw d oll a rs O n ra will bri g h im

s s o . e m n

fi fty l a mbs ; t h is a t tw l ve d ll a rs is ix b u n
, e o , s

dr e d d ll a rs : with a ra a t t n d oll rs h e co u l d
o m e a

h a ve fi fty l a mbs w r th tw d l l r wh i c h is
, o o o a s,

o e h u d r e d doll a rs ; d e d uct th e p ric e

n n f th e o

ra m a d i
, n nc as h e g i
one i e ty a d in
e a ns n n , n

th e ot h e r f our h u d r e d a n d fi fty d ll a rs th e firs t

n o

e a r ; th e s e c o d y e a r h e g a s th e n e c a s e
y n in in o

on e h u d re d
n d in th e th e r s ix h u d re d
, an o n

d ll a rs th
o ,
e xpe s e f k pi n g b i g th e
en o ee e n

s a e t both stocks It w a o t till th e price

m n . s n

o f r a ms ros e v e r h igh th at an impor ta n t im

y y
p rov em e n t w a m ad e i s British sh e e p a d th i s
n , n

is pre cis e l y th e c a s e i th is St a t All th e f u ll

n e.

b re d r s f th e Cl r m o t stock we re b e s p ok e
am o e n

b e fore th e fi t f J a ua ry a t e h u d r e d a n d
'

rs o n , on n

fi fty d oll a rs ; a d e th ous a d d oll a rs h be e n

n on n as

re f use d f r th e o l a b f t mo th s ld th a t
ra m m o en n o

I h a v e b e f re m e ti o d d tw h u n d r e d f o r
n one , an o

h i brot h e
s d p pe d a t C h ri tm a s a d o n l y
r, o
r s , n

t h r w e e ks ld wh e th e o ffe r w a m ad by
ee o n s e

a n er il igh t e d fa rm e r f Ma ss a ch us tts W h a t
en o e .

is ll fa r i g bu t a a d va n c m ad e w it h a i e w
a m n n e V

to f ut u re p fit ? No a re fus e s to o w wh e at
ro m n s

b ec a us e th e s eed is d earer th a n rye A ric h .

 E s say on Sheep . 1 39

V irgi n i a fa r m e r w h o puts in o n e h u n dred a c r e

, s

o f wh eat a h t e s ti, at cth plo g h i n g h a

n o m e e u , r

rowi g s ee d a d h a r v s ti g a t l t h a five
n , , n e n , es s n

d o ll r s a n d fi fty c ts pe a cr ; h i r e tu r s if I
a en r e s n ,

rig h tly r e e b r th i f r ti I r c e iv e d
m m e e n o m a on e

f ro m ou r d e p r te d h e ro W s h i g to will fa l l
a , a n n,

sh ort f se e bush e ls t th a cr e ; thr a s h i g a n d

o v n o e n

c a r ryi g t m rk t will a mou t to b ut fi fty

n o a e n a o

c e ts r ; th t up
n m o e pi ta l f fi e h u
so a on a c a o v n

d re d doll a rs h e s ld m r e c e iv e s two h u dr d e o n e ,

ta ki g w h e t a t its a v a g p r ic e f th e te
n a er e or n

e a rs l ast p a st Th is f a lls gr e tly sh rt f th a

y . e o o

profit up th a mou t f tw M r i o r am s
on e n o o e n

put t e h u n d re d e we s if th l a bs w r s l d
o on ,
e m e e o

a t th e r a te I m e tio ; b t pu tti g th e l a b n n u fi
n m s

out f th e qu stio n a d supposi g th e profi t

o e , n n

to be m ad e o n ly u po th fl e e c es th e n a fa r n e ,

m e wh o h a d a fi e flock o f sixty e w e s a
r a
g
n , ve r

i ng th r e e a n d a h a l f pou ds f wool wort h n o ,

th irty s e v e n a d a h alf c e n ts th a t is on e d ll a r
-
n , , o

th irty o e a d a qu a rt e r c ts e a ch (th l a b s
-
n n en , e m

p a yi g th e xp e ns e o f k e e pi n g ) would by put
n e ,

ti g th e s a e wes to M r i o r a s f th im
n -
m e e n m o e

pr v ed br ee d g a i a st c k f l a bs wh ich
o , n o o
’

would th fi rst ye a r giv h im fl c s we ig h i g

e e ee e n

f our pou ds wo r th s e v ty fi c e ts th pou d

n , en -
ve n e n ,

a n d a r a d y m a rk e t : t h us h e would g i
e upo a n n

s ix ty e we s h al f th e pric e f h is a m th fir st o r e
1 40 E ss ay on Sheep .

y ea r ,
p r ogre ssive l y more e v e ry yea r as h e
and

re f r e d h i st ck
o m s o .

T h sec d obj e ctio n to th e M ri n o is th e

e on e

h ig h p r ic e f h is wo l wh ich Mr Cus tis u p

o o , . s

p o es a o ly be a d a pt e d to th u e f th e
s c n n e s o .

ric h wh il e th e low pric e f th c

,
o w ol o e om m n o

fit it fo g e r a l c su p ti
s r en I f M ri wo l on m on . e no o

i d a c h e a p a th a t f r m c mm n
‘

ca n b e ra s e s s o o o

sh e p i t c e s t l st a h e a p t th e gr w r
e ,
om a ea s c
‘

o o e ,

a d th e r e f r e h e
n a
y w ar a c
o t f fi woo m l e oa o ne

at g r a t r e xp e s e t h a n e o f c a rs cl th
no e e n n o o e o

a d th e re c a
n be s rt f d oubt th a t if i t
n no o o

is a u fa c tu r d e x a c tly a th t h r th e
“

m n e s e o e ,

co a rs e cl th a d e fr fi woo l will utl a s t

o m om ne o

tw m a d fr o h a rs h r m t ri l a d a t th e
o e m e a e a s, n ,

b e wa r e r I f bl k ts d fl
'

s a m e ti m e, m . an e an an

n e ls a e a d om s tic r a u f ctu r e b th th s e
e m n a ,
o e

a r ticl s wil l c
e e c h e a p to th growe s o f th e
om as e r

wo l a i f m d fr m th l g wo ll e d sh e e p
o s a e o e on -
o ,

a d c e r ta i l
n
y will b e i fi n it e l y w a r
n r a d n m e n

l ight e r I f a .s l a d is su h t bri g h im
a m n
’
n c as o n

a good c r p f w h e a t h c r t i ly w ill
o o t w , e e a n no so

r
y or
e buckwh at but will p r f r Wh e e
a t n , e e e

b r a d f h i fa il y ; o if h e is
e or s e co n om ist r, an m ,

h e will s e ll h i w h e a t a d buy ye s Is it t n r . no

e x c tly th
a s a wi th M e ri o w ol I f h is
e ?
m e n o e

i e sy ci r cu st a c e s b e will
n a ma u fa c tur e it n , m n ,

a d s e ll th e e xc e ss b e yo d wh a t h e w a n t s f o r
n n
1 42 E s say on Sh eep .

Custis h owe v , pr esum es th a t much l a rg e r

e r,

fl c s r
ee e b ta i d fr m th e r sh e e p p a rti e n
a e o ne o o ,

l a ly from th e Smi th s Isl a d a n d th e A r li n g

’

r n

ton .It is possibl e th a t Mr Custis h a dr a w n . s

th is i fe r e c e f r om n o t h a vi g s e e n th e im
n n n ~

p rov e d M e ri o br e e d a d p rh ps i th i s n , n e a n ,

v i w h i d e d u c ti
e s
y b l ss rr n e ous
on ; b m
u t a e e e o

f ro mth e a ccou t I h a v e gi v e n o th e b e st a u
n , n

th i ty
or f th e fl ck t R mbouill e t it a p p e ar s
, o o a a ,

th a t t h e y c a rr y h a vi e r fl e c s f fi e sh ort woo le e e o n

th th e A r li gto n br e d d o f lo n g wool I
an n e o .

i f r th is f r
n e th e l e t te r f M r Fo t e wh ich
om o . o ,

i c t i d i
s on a ne th e p p h l t f r om h is a c
n am e :

cou t fi e a d a h l f pou ds o f woo l of abou t

n v n a n ,

tw e lv e i ch e s i l e n gth is th e a v e r a g e f e w e
n n , o

l a b s w ol i th e first y e a r wh th e fl ee c e
’
m o n , en

is a lw a ys th e h e a vi e st ; b e c a us e i n st a d f n e , e o o

y ea r it is
, g e e r a lly f f ou r tee n
n o ths growth o m n .

M L a te y ie i h i r e port to th e N a tio n a l I n
r . s r , n s

s titu te i th e y e a r 1 8 0 2 st a t e s th a t th e
n e diu m , , m

w igh t
e f f ull gr w n ursi n g e w e s w a e igh t
o o n s

pou d s s e v e ou c e s ; f th e we s o f th re e y ea rs
n n n o e

old w h ic h h a d l a mbs i n e pou n ds th irte e n no ,

n

ou c e s ; a d tw t th s e w es te n a n d a h a l f
n n o- e n ,

p o u ds n N w a ki g e e ry a llow a c e f
. o , m th e n v n or ,

gr a te r qu a ti ty f d irt co n ta i n e d in fl cks k e pt
e n o o

as tho e i F r a c e a re I th i k w e y st ate
s n n , n m a

th e ir w eigh t a s a t l ast e qu a l to thos e o f Mr e .

 E ssay on Sheep . 1 43

Fo o te w es ; a d ye t Mr Foote s sh e p a e
’
s e n .
’
e r

e id v tly sup e rior to th e s h e e p f th cou tr y

en o e n ,

Wh se o v e ra g u d e r si il a r circu s ta c e s
a e, n m m n ,

w ould c e rt a i ly t x c d th re e a n d a h a l f
n no e ee

p ou ds n My w
. h w v r h v to b e n
n, o o e e , a e no e s

h ig h M L a t yri a d h av o t f ll n
i

’
as r
. s e e s, n e n a e

m uch s hort f M F t s Th r e full br d ’

o r . oo e . e -
e

e w s a ll h a v i g l a
e , b g a v e th e y e a r b f r l s t
n m s, e o e a

el e e v p u ds d th r qu ar t r s
n o n an a r fou r ee e , or n e

p ou ds e a ch
n L ast y ea r I d id o t k e p e
. n e a s

p a r a t e a ccou t b u t a s th e y w e r i b e tt e r rd r
n , e n o e ,

I th i k th e a v e r a g e w as ea r fi e pou ds
n n v n .

T h is y r s e v e fl e c e s a f te r th y h d b e n
ea n e , e a e

s o a k e d tw e n ty h ours a d th e w a sh e d i w r m , n n n a

W a t r w igh d tw e ty six po u ds but th is i n

e ,
e e n -
n ,

cl ud d tw a m fl e e c s Supposi g t h
e o r to e . n em

h a v lost o
e ore t h n co m wool w uld
n m a m on o

h v d
a e whic h by suc h p e r fe c t w s h i g
o n e, , a n ,

would t h a v b e l ss th a
no e t h ird
e th e y
e n e n on ,

would th e h a v e w e ig h e d fi p u ds w h ic h
n ve o n ,

fa lls o l y h a l f n pou d sh ort f th e A r li g a n o n

ton sh e p T h es e s e e fl ee c e s woul d h a ve
e . v n

s old f fifty two d ll a r s c s h ; w h e r s s v e n

or -
o a ea e

o f Mr F o t s fl e e c e s
. o r duc e d e t h ird by
e
’

,
e on

w a sh i n g w uld ly h a v e p r od uc d (s e lli g a t
, o on e n

th e usu a l pric e th i r ty six c ts a pou d ) e ig h

,
-
en n - ~

t e a d a h a l f d ll a rs ; a n d y t h is s h e p
e n n o e e ,

be i n g l a rge r wo u l d h a ve d e m a n d e d m or e
,
1 44
-
E ssay on Sheep .

k e e pi g I f th is is t b e obs e r ed o f on e o f
n . o v

th fi
e st A ic a fl ck h w m uc h gre ater
ne m er n o s, o

wi l l b th e ba l a c e i fa vou r o f th e Cl e rmo n t
e n n

M i e wh n th y a
er n o s, e et i oppositi n to
e re s n o

th e sh e p f th e cou try ? It a lso a e rro r

o e n is n

to su p pos e th a t t h e r is lit tl c su p tio o f e e on m n

fi ne cl th i t h i c u tr y T h e re a fe w
o n s o n . re

p pl i ci ti s w h w ea u h clo th s
i

eo e n our e o r s c a

ca n be d fr m a B r i tish w ol th e fi e st o f
e om o , n

w h ic h wil l t k cl th f th v a lu e f ore
no m a e o o e o m

th an th ir te e s h illi n gs st e rl i g p r y a rd T h e
n n e .

fi s t s e co d a d th ird cloths a e a ll m a d e fro m

r , n n r

M r i w l f d i ff e r t g a d e s f fi e n ess
e no oo o en r o n .

N r if w
o , ay b e l i e v
e m A d e rso is th r a n y
e n n, e e

cl t h i w h ic h M r i o a d B r itish wool a re
o n e n n

m ix ed th e ir qu a liti s b i g so d issi il e d e n m a r, an

th e y s h ri k ditf n tly i
so th e p ull i g
e re n th a t n n ,

th y c
e t be w k e d tog e t h e r It is a ls o a
an n o or .

mist k e to suppos th at with th e s a e m a t e ri a ls

a e , m ,

w ce t a k clo th f th e s a m e q u a l ity a d
an no m e o , n

a t th e s p r ic e with th a t o f B r it a i
am e , We n .

n w c rd b y w a te r
o a d spi with j , ies ; o
an n en n s

th a t muc h f th e l a bo u r is s a v e d I h av f r
o . e o

t h r y e a rs p st b e e i th e h a bi t f m a u fa c
ee a n n o n

tu r i g ll th e cl t h e c ss a ry f
n a o
y w
n u e e or m o n s

a d f
n th u se f
or v e ry l rg e fa il nd I
e
y o m y ; a m a

ca a
n s
y wit h c r t a i t y t h a
e t I c a m
n u f ctu
,
r e n an a

clot h o f e v e ry qu a li ty fro m thr ee to ten doll a rs

1 46 E ssay on Sheep .

ten p e r c t or a bou t two sh illi gs an d five

en . n -f

p e c ; th e wh ol e l abour th e e mploy e d in th e
n e n

m a u fa ctur e is o n l y s e v e n sh illi gs a d n e
n n n o

p e y ste rli n g Su p pos e th e pric e o f l a bou r

nn .

h e re to be fi fty pe c e t h igh e r w h ich e xc ee d s

r n .
,

th e fa c t th e n th e p ric e o f th e m a t e ri a l b e i n g
,

th s a m e th e c st f aki g i t h r h uld b e
e ,
o o m n e e s o

th ree e ighths mor e th a i En gl a n d th a t is t h r ee

-
n n , ,

s h ill i gs n d ight p e c e u po n t w
an e -
ty f u r h il
n en -
o s

l i gs ; a n d cloth f th a t pric e i f m a u fa ctu re d

n o , n

i n th e U n it e d St a t e s sh ould s e ll f o r t w e nty s v e n -
e

s h ill i gs a n d e igh t p
n c e st e rli n g or a bout five
-
en ,

doll a rs a n d ixty th r ee c e n ts (five s h illi gs ste r

s -
n

li n g to th e doll a r ) wh e re as n o im p orte d c lo th o f
,
'

th a t q u a l ity c a n b e p urch a s e d h e r e f o r l e ss th a n

twe lv e doll a rs W h a t a n imm e n s e s a vi n g th e n

.

w ould it b e to th e U n it e d St a t e s to cultiv a t th e e

bre e d f sh e e p wh ich will f urn ish m a te ri a ls for

o

a n a rticl e o n wh ich th e y now p ay upw a rds f o

1 0 0 p er c e t wh a t a fi e ld do e s it op e both to
'

n . n

th e m a n ufa ctur e r a n d th e f a rm e r ' W h il th e e

o n e c a n a fi rd to giv e two doll a rs a n d fi f ty c e n ts

o

e r p ou n d fo r woo l th e oth e r e v e n a ft e r h a v
p , ,

i n g r e c e iv e d th a t a d v a c e d pric e c a n purch a s e n ,

h i cl th much ch e a p e r th a n h e c a n o w d o
“

s o n ,

wh e n h s lls th e fl ee c e s o f h is flock a t thirty

e e

ix c e n ts p e pou n d
s r But how much grea t e r .

sti ll w il l b e th e profit if h e m a n u factur e s h is ,

 E ssay Sheep 1 47

"
on .

s
ow n wool i n to fin e cloth f r th e m a rk e t I will o

v e n tur e to say th at cloth f te doll a rs th e ya r d

,
o n
'

m a
y i th
, is w a
y n b e m ad sup e rior i n qu a lity,
‘
e

to British cloth tho u gh p e r h a ps t quite so,

no

w ll d r ss e d f r t h r
e e d ll a rs p e y r d f s e
, o ee o r a , o ev n

qu a rte rs wid e a n d giv e th e fa rm e r a p fit f t h re

, ro o e

doll a rs p p u d for h i wo l fte r a llowi g

er o n s o , a n

o n e doll a r a a co missio n to th e s h op k ee p e rs
s m -

wh ll h i cl t h I t i b t j us tic h w v r
o se s o . s u e, o e e ,

to th e s h e e p I h av e m e n tio n e d to w it th e , ,

Arl i n gt n bre ed to obs e rv e th a t th ir fl c e s

o , , e ee

a re a d a pt e d to purpos e s to wh ich thos e o f ,

th M e ri n o c a n ot b e a ppli e d wit h th e s a m e
e n

a dv a t a g e ; such a s
n th e m ki n g f Wo rst e ds , a o ,

ca b le t
m se rg e rs and
s,
p e rh a p fi e b l an k e ts
, s n .

Th e s e m a u fa ctur e s e qu i e lo n g c ombi g woo l

n r r n ,

w h e r a s cl th d e m an ds fin e short wool a n d
e o ,

o n e ca ot be subs titute d fo th e o th er without

nn r

loss W ool wh ich is i te rm e d i a te is o n th a t

. n

a ccou n t i n fe ri r to e ith e r as n o t b e i g wel l

o , n

a d pt e d
a to cloth a n d too sho 1 t f r comb , o

i g n Th is is i som e sort th e ch a ra cte r o f

. n

th e e w L e ic st e r or B a k e w ll wool ; w e r e it a
n e e

f e w i ch e s lo n g e or short e r it would s e ll much

n r ,

h igh e r th a it n ow do e s ; its pre s en t pric e in th e

n

British m a rk e t is o ly t p e n c e ste rli g p e r n en - n

pou d a d yet it is f a tol e ra bly fin e sta pl

n ,
n o e .

As it is m y wi sh to dir e ct th e choic e f th e o
1 48 E s s ay on Sheep .

f a rm e r to such sh e e p a s will suit h is w an ts it ,

«

will be p ro pe r to obs e rve h e r e th a t if a fa rm ,

i s o circumst a n c e d a to r e n d e r it i c
s s en i n onv

e n t to k ee p mor e sh e e p th a n will su ffic e to

cloth e th e fa mily a d mploy th e l e isure h ou rs n e

o f th e f e m a l e p a rt f it I woul d rec o m o ,

m e n d n t to g b yo d h a l f b r d M i o es
o o e n -
ee er n ,

W h a te v e r m a y b e th e stoc k o f e w e s wh e th e r ,

l o n g or sh ort wooll e d I c a with c e rt a i ty as

’
-
, n n

s e r t th a t th e i r l a mbs by M e ri n o r a ms f th e
, o

improv e d br e e d will c a rry h e a vi e r fl e e c e s th a n

th e p a r e n t st ck n e ith e r sid e I f th e y a re
"
o o .

s h r t wooll e d sh e e p th e ir fl ee c e s will n o t o n ly
o -
,

i n cr eas e i q u an tity bu t b e m uch im p rov e d in

n ,

qu a lity : if th e y a re l o n g wooll e d th e improve -

,

m e n t will b e mor e in th e qu a n tity a d l e ss in n

th e q u a lity But i n e ith e r c a s e th e fa rm e r in

.
, ,

a dd itio to th e i cre a s e of h is woo l wil l fin d

n n ,

th is e ss e n ti a l a d va n t ag e i n crossi n g th a t e ve ry ,

fl e e c e if c a re fully sorte d will co n ta i n a much

, , s

w ool a will m a k e cl th wh ich n g e tl e m a n

s o o n

f a r m e r n e e d be a sh a m e d to w e a r a n d h e will ,

b e sid e s h a v e d i ffe ren t sorts o f i n fe rior qu a liti es , ,

suite d to h is ch ildr en a n d do m e sti k ; but a ll c s

will be mor e u n i formly good th a n th e wool o f

his old fl ck E v e n if h is flock co n sist df qu a r
o .

te br e ed M i oe
r -
h e will fi d a n e ss e n ti a l dif
er n s, n

f r e n c e both in th qu a n tity a n d qu a lity o f h is

e e
 1 50 E ssay on Sh eep .

s h e e p is f gre a t import a n c e as it r el ate s to th e

o ,

commu n ity th e fa rm e r a d th e ma n u fa cture r

, , n ,

a d e ve
n to e v e ry cl a ss f soci e ty w h a re more
n o , o

or l e ss a ffe cte d by th e ch e a p n e ss a n d good e ss n .

o f a fa b i c k wh ich a l l e mploy as w e l l a s b
r
y ,

p re s e rvi n g a co n sid e ra bl e c a p it a l wit h i th e n

Stat e a d ff r di g e ploy
, n a o t t
n u b e rs o f
m m en o n m

i d ig e t p e opl e i n wh os e h a p p i n e ss h um a n i ty
n n ,

i n t e re sts its l f It th re f re b e com e s th e d u ty

e . e o

o f th e St a t e to p a tro i z e a n d e n cour a g e th e m
n .

T h is h a s b e e do n e wi th a l ud a bl e e a l by our
n a z

R gi l a tu e : th e pr e mi u m u p o n th e i n tro du c
s r

ti on o f M e ri n o r a ms h a s a lr e a dy h a d co n sid e r

a bl e e fl e c t ; th e bou ty u p o n cloth will h a v e a

'

s till gr e a t e r ; f o r it wil l soo n b e a pp a r e n t to th e

p e o p l e f e v e ry c o u n ty th a t th e first priz e s c an
o ,

l b e ta k e b cloth m a d e f rom th e w ol f
p y n
y n o o

th e f ull br d or mix e d M e ri o sh ee p a n d i ts
-
e n ,

sup e rio r ity will b e p re s e t d to th e ir e yes in n e

such f o r m a s to ov e rcom e th e m ost i ve te ra te n

pre j ud ic e s T h e y will e e th a t a ll a tte mpts to

. s

m a k e fin e cloth f rom co rs e wool is l ost l a bo ur a ,

a d th e y wil l a pply it to th e u s e f o
n wh i ch r

a lo ne it is a d a pte d Th e y will ch a n g e th e ir
.

flocks soo a p ssibl e a d a s th e ir wool will

as n s o , n

b e com e m v a lu bl e a d m e e t with r e a d y
o re a ,
n a

m a rk e t th e y will fi d a n a d va t a g e i i re a s
, n n n nc

in g th e ir fl o c k s Good polic y h owe ve r would

.
 E ssay on Sheep . 151

dictate th e th is bou n ty for th e

c o n trn ua n c e o f

te rm o f a t l ea st te n y e a rs th t e v e ry m a n w h , a o

h a h is flock still to ch g
s a
y h a v e a pros an e m

e e t o f b e e fiti g by th e lib e r a lity f th e L e gi s o

p n n

l a t a re ; f r wi th i l e ss th h a l f t h a t tim th e
o n an e

comp e titors will b e i n u m e ra bl I th e m a nn e . n e

tim e th p r iu m
e cl th op r a te i dire ctly
em on o e s n

as a bou n ty wo l ; f a y f a mili e s th a t ra is e
on o or m n

no
‘

wo l oth wive s d d gh t r s f c h a
, as e an au e o m e

n ics s e ttl e d in th e cou n try or i vill a g e s wil l , n ,

fi d a prid e a d a n i t e re st i n co t e di g f r
n n n n n n o

th e priz e a n d wil l b e com e purch a s e rs

, f th e o

ra w m a t e r a l a t a a dv a c e d pric e : th
i n os t n e m

s kil f u l w ea v e rs a d dr e ss e rs will be c a r fully

n e

s ough t out a d th e c e l e brity th e y sh a l l

, n e r

s
p e c tive l
y a cqu ir e by h a vi n g th e ir a m e s re n

cord d with th e priz e cloth will e xcite e m u la

e ,

ti a mo g th e m a d a ff ord f u ll e n cour ag e
on n , n

m e t to th os e whos e skill a n d i dustry sh a ll b e t

n n s

m e rit it It ay b e a qu esti h o w fa it wou ld

. m on r

b e w e ll to giv e a bou n ty u po c e rt a i a rticl es n n

m a d e f r m th e commo woo l f th e c u try

o n o o n .

For my w p art I b e li e v e it u e ce ss a ry be
o n , nn ,

c a us e all wool o f th a t k i d is a lrea d y w rk e d n o

u i n dom e stic m a u factur e s d is d ubtl s

p a n n e s , o

e mploy e d i n th a t w a wh ich is most us e f ul ;

y
i f tur e d to a di ff r e t u se p e rh a ps e ith e r th e
n e n , n

publ ic or th e i n d i vid ual wil l be so w e ll s e rved

 1 52 E ss ay on Sh eep .

as th e y n ow a re But if a c o n trar y s e n ti
.

m t sh oul d p re v a il th e n I thi n k th e bou n t y

en ,

s h ould be give n u p o n Worste ds s e rges a n d , ,

bl a k e ts ; b e c a us e th is would t u r n to i ts p ro p e r
n

u s e th a t lo n g wool wh ich i s mis a p p l i e d in th e

m a ki n g o f cloth .

I n S we d e n th e M e ri sh e e p w r i t r o
no e e n

du c e d in 1 7 2 3 ; th ey a t o n c e b e c a m e a n a tio n al
obj e ct d a bou ty f tw e ty five p e r c e n t
, an n o n -
.

w a p a id U po n th e v a lu e
s f th e wool to th e o

g row er wh ich , w as co n ti n u e d to 1 7 8 1 wh en ,

i t w a s r e duc e d to fi f t e e n p e r c e n t a n d in 1 7 9 2 .

1 t w a sup pr e ss e d ; S we d e n th e n po ss e ssi n g u p
s

w a rds o f
‘

f u ll br e d M e rm o e s a n d b e
-
,

i n
g a bl e to su p ply a ll h e r o w n w a n ts with out

a n
y im p ort a tio n f ro m Sp ai ; a n d wh a t is v e r
n
y
e xtr a ordi n a ry th e sh e e p h a v e u d e rgo n e n o
,
n

ch a g e f r th e wors e i th s p a c e o f u pw a rd s
n o n e

o f e ighty y ea rs ; th ough p e rh a p s S w e d e of n 18

a l l th e cultiv a t e d co u n tri e s I k n o w l e a st c a l c u ,

l a te d fo r sh ee p ; th e l e gth o f th e d a ys d uri n g
n

i ts sh ort summ e r p a rch e s its b a rr e n fi e lds a n d ,

f or s e v en mo n ths it is buri e d in s n ow T h e y .

sh e a r in J ul y a n d th e a v e rag e w e igh t o f a
,

ewe s fl c e wh e n w a shed is th re e p ou ds
’
ee , ,
n .

T h e y k e e p up th e S p a n ish p ra ctic e o f givi n g

sa lt p a rticul a rl n w e t w e a th e r
,
y i .

To thos e who are u n a c q u a i n te d with Sp an is h

 1 54 E s say on Sheep .

a wa y an d r e pl e n ish e d with more f th e l i q u o r

, o

f rom th e va t T h is mod e o f w a shi g pr e s e rv e s

. n

in th e wool a c e rt a i portio n o f its gre as e

n ,

w h ich m a k e s it spi easi e r I V h e n w a sh e d it

n .

e ith e r be dri e d i n th e sh a d e h
m a
y ( t e s u n re n
'

d e rs it h a rsh if too h ot) or wh a t is b tte r it , , e ,

a b e pr e ss e d i n a cyd e r pr ss wh ich dri e s it

m
y e ,

muc h qu ick e r ; wh e n quite d ry it s h ould b e

l a id upo n cribbl e s a d b e a t wit h a bu n c h o f

, n

rods w h ich so ft en s it a d t a k e s ou t a g reat

, , n

p roportio n o f th e d ust a n d h a y se e ds ; it i th e n -
s

pick e d c a r e full y n t as commo w o o l is but

, o n ,

by pe i g th e flocks wh ic h a e i som e m e a
o n n , r n

sur e ti e d toge th e r a t th e e n ds a n d ta ki n g c a re ,

n o t to br e a k th e wool to p i e c e s T o fit i t fo r .

s pi n n i n g it should b e gr e a s e d W th n ea t s f oo t
’
1 -

oil a n d c a rd e d with cotto n c ard wool c a rd s

,
s,

b e i n g too co a rs ; a d e xc e pt th e c a rdi n g mill

e n -

is p a rticul a rly fitte d fo r it a n d pe r fe ctly cl e a n ,

f rom com m o n wool it will ru n i n to k ots a d

, n , n

be spoi l d if c a rd e d a t it For d om e stic m a n u

e .

f a ctur e s f rom Sp a n ish w ol I would th e r e fore

, o ,

r comm e n d th e c a rdi n g a t hom e b y h a n d

e .

I n E urop e it it usu a l b e for e spi n n i g to w a s h

, n ,

th e wool in th e a e r I h a v e m en tio n e d ;
m nn

f r m som littl ss ys th I h v m d
’

et t
y , o e e a ae a e a e

upo n th M r i n o wool I a i cl i n e d to be
e e , m n

li e ve if it is c a re f ully p ick ed so as to l ea ve n Q
, ,
 E ssay on Sheep . 1 55 ,

h ay s eed s on th e wool a d to o p e n it p e r f ctly

-
, n e

b efore it is c ard d th a t th fi est thr e a d m y

e , e n a

be m a d e o f u w a sh e d wo l : n o r d o I th i n k o n

9
th a t th e y ar n should b e w a sh d b e fore it is e

wov e ; th e g r ea s e a dds to th st r gth a n d e en ,

re n d e rs i t u n nec e ss a ry to siz e th e w a rp a is , s

usu a ll y do ; ner llowa n c e sh ould h ow

m o e a ,

e ver ,b m a d e fo r shri ki g
e T h is must n ot
n n .

b e co sid r d n e e a sc r t i
as a n d f a t si c e I a m
e a ne c , n

n ow o n l i n th e cours e o f tri a l
y .

A I do n t Write f r pr fe ss e d m a n u fa ctur e rs
s o o o ,

but f r fa rm e rs; m a n y o f whom h a v e e v e r

o n

giv en muc h a tt e tio n to th e b e st m od e o f fa

n

b ric a tin g cloths I will v e n tur e to m n t o n wh a t

, e 1 ,

thou gh w e ll k n ow n to th e first th e l a st m ay ,

n o t ye t b e a cqu a i n t e d with Commo n woo l

‘
.

c a n h a rdl be to o much c a rde d M e ri n o m a ;

y y ,

th e first g a i s by b e i g brok e to a c e rt a i n de
n n

gree th e l a st is i nj ure d I sp n i g th e w a rp
, . n in n ,

a n d th e woo f must be s p u i n co tra ry dirc e n n

tio n s b e c a us e as both op e n a l ittl e a n d th e h

, , , o

j ct
e fo f ulli g is to
n u n it e th e e n ds f th e wool o ,

s o a to r a is e th e k a p
s i f t h y u twiste d th e
n , e n

sa m e w a y th e y would u it e l e ss t h a
, i f th e y
n n

m e t e a ch oth r Th is op e ra tio n i effe cted by

e . s

spi n i g th e o n e with a op e n b an d t h a t i a
n n n , s,

b a n d th a t turn s th e spi n dl e i th e s am e di c n re ~

tio n with th e wh e el th e oth e r with a cros b a d

, s n ,
156 E ssay on Sheep .

wh ich tur s th e spi n dl e m a co n trar y d irec tio n

n .

Sp t l d la Na tu e s a ys it should be th e
ec a c e e r
‘

w rp b e c a us e th is r e q uir e s to b e most twis te d ;

a ,

th e E elop d t h e co n tr a ry ssig i g
’

y ne sa
y t ae zs s a , n n

as a r a so n th t th e smo th e st th r e a d c a
e a be o n

m ad e by th e op e b a n d a d t h a t it is e c e ss r y
n , n -
n a

t h t th e wa rp s h ld b p r ticul r ly smo t h
a ou e a a o

a d e v n ; th a t i e qu a l iti es a r o f l e ss c o se
n e n e n -s

u en c e in th e woo f b e c a us e th e y a e corr e ct e d r
q ,

i n th f ulli g I h a v
e n t s fli ie t k n owl e dg e
. e no u c n

o f th e subj e ct to d e cid e wh e n such a uth oriti es

di ffe r : but i n e ith e r c a e th e w oo f m u st b e spu n s

a lo s
s p ssibl T hi s e d e rs th e cloth so ft ;
o e as o e . r n

a d m a k e s it e a si e r to r a is e th e w o l fo r sh ea r
n o -
~

in g T . fa cilit a t e th e spi n i g loos e a gr e a t e r

o n n ,

qu a ti ty f oil must b e us e d i spi i g th e

n o n nn n

w oo f th a i s pi ni n g th e wa rp ; f th first a
n nn or e

f u r th f th e w e ig h t f th e wool is us e d f o r
o o o ,

th e l a st o ly e e ighth
n Th is must b e u n d e r
on - .

sto d a a pplyi g o ly to fi e y a r n Co a rs e
o s n n , n .

th r ea d is st r ng e ug h i its e l f to r e quire b u t
o no n

littl greas e Oliv oil is p r fe r r d in E urop e ;

e . e e e

th a t w h ich is most l iquid must b us e d h e re -

e :

I will t v en tu re a fa rth e r d iscussio n th e

no n o

s u bj ct o f m a n u fa cturi g cloth si c e th is in
e n , n

f or a ti
m will be b e tte r a cqu ir e d fro m pra c tic a l
on

m a u fa ctu r r s w h a re to b e f ou n d i n a lmost
'

n e , o

e v e ry p a rt f th e St a t eo .
 158 E ssay on Sheep .

m an
y w h om ofm a k e u se f t e c h n ic a l t e rm s o

w ll u d rstood by t h os f r whom th e y writ e

’

e n e e o ,

b t which will n e e d e xpl a n a tio n h e r e I th e r e

u .

f ore st a t e th e f ollowi n g d e fi n itio n s o f th os e

m os t i u se n .

A m a l e l a mb a fter h e is w e a n e d i c a ll e d
, , s ,

du r i g th e fi r st y a r a H g
n H ggit a T ag
e , 0 , or o , .

A n e w l a mb d uri n g th e s a m e p e riod is c a ll e d
e , ,

a n E w T ag a C ha e e I n th e s e co n d yea r
,
rm r. -

th e m a l e is a S h H 0g or a two to thed H og
ea r , o ,

th e fe m a l e a T h a oe a Gi m er
'

or T g; a r z , m , o

tw to th ed E we T ag
o o Th ird a n d four th y e a r .

th e y a d is ti gu i h e d by th e s a e n am s with
re n s m e ,

th e a dd i tio o f th e n u mb e r
n f t ee th th ey h a v e o

c h a ge d n T h e fi f th y e a r h a vi n g e igh t bro a d
.
,

t ee th th e y a re c a ll d f ell m outh ed S h p T h e
,
e -
ee .

a e o f th e ra m
g g e n r a lly d e n ot e d b
15
y th ee

n umb r f tim e s th e y h a v e b e e n sh or n ; th e
e o

first sh ri g b i g
e a e n i n th ir s co d y e a r a
n e e n —
s h ea h ng— ’

on e s hea r — two s hea r, &c . In th e

n orth o f E n gl a n d a d in Scotl a n d a e w e l a mb n n ,

a ft r w ea i n g i c a ll e d a D i
e n n t ; a d in th e
, s m m o n

w e st f E n gl an d ra m l am bs a e c all e d p im
o r

Iam b T u p a n d ram a re sy n o n ym ous t e r m sfor

s .

a c v e r i n g ra m
o C one sig n ifi e s a n old e w e
. r .

Ge t ti n T h e p e riod f r g e st a tio n in sh e p
s a o .
-
o e

is from tw ty w e ks to o ne h u dr e d a d fi fty
en e n n

da ys : e w e s will br e e d t w ic e a y e a r a d m a y , n
 E ssay on Sheep . 1 59

e v en be m ad e to br ee d thric e i th a t tim if n e,

th e y a re k e pt i n h ig h ord e r a d t su ffe r e d to , n no

n urs e th e l a mbs I h a v e two r thr e e th a t h v e

. o a

ta k e n th e ra th is w te si c e l mbi n g a d
m m r, n a , n

o n e with i e igh t d a ys a ft r l a
n bi g t h oug h th e e m n ,

l a mb w a r u i g a t h e r sid e W h th r th e o
s nn n . e e c

p u l a ti o will
n b e prod uctiv r e m a i s to b e s ee e n n

i f it s h ould (a n d I h a v e o r a s to th i k it wil ln e on n

h e la b s will f ll i n A ugust ; f c u s
n t o
) , t m a r e o o

th e e w e s m a y ta k e th e a m i Octob e r a t r n , so s o

la mb ag a n M a rch
1n wh ic h would be three
l ,

tim e s i th e cou s e o f th e y ea r
n r T h is h o w .
,

e ver is a pr a ctic e by
,
m s t be ec o m no ean o r

m en d d e a s I th i k i t would i nj u r e both th e
,
n

e w e s a n d th e l a mbs a d d e t e rior a t e th e stock

, n .

L a b a t bi th
m s — I n most br e e ds
r f sh e e p o

s i n gl l ambs a re more c ommo n th a n a grea t e r

e

n umb r ; but e n om e a in th e Dors e ts h ire

i s , s ,

doubl e l a mbs a e n e a rly a usu a l a si gl e T h e

r s s n .

Fri e sl an d a d Tee s W a te r s h p wh ic h a r f
n -
ee , e o

—
th e l a rg e lo g wooll e d sp e ci e s n i f w e ll k pt , e ,

b r i g fr m two to fi e l ambs a t a bi r th a d t h a t
n o
‘

v , n

som e tim e s twic e i a ye a r if w e a y b li ve a n

n , m e e

o l d E glis h writ e r
n B a r a by G a g wh o s a ys,
, n e,

I t h ath b e e s ee i Guild e rl a d t h a t five e w es

n n n n ,

h a th h ad in n e y e a r fi e a d tw en ty l a bs
o v n m

It m a y s ee m p e r a d v n ture to m an y in re di
, e , c »

bl an d y t n o grea t m a rv el si c e th e y h ave
e, e , n
 1 60 E s s ay on S heepx

twic e y e r most tim es two a n d s o m e tim es

a a ,

t a tim Cully gi e s th e f llowi n g

“

fi
”
ve a e. v o

i s t c e f fe cu n dity i a T e e s W a te r e w e
n an o n -

W h e two y e a rs old h e brought f ur l a mbs

n s o ,

th e n fi th tw th e n fi e th e n two ; th e
ve , en o, v ,

first i e wit h i l e v e mo t h s T h h igh e st

n n n e n n . e

k pi gis h w e v er c ss r y to c a us e th is fer
ee n o ne e a

til ll ) 7 .

C h oice f o h
ra m sa v e a lr
. ea—I
dy giv e n d i re c

tio s f th e choic f a a b u t a th is is a n
n or e o r m , s
’

obj ect f uch mom e n t i formi g a flock i t

o m n n ,

will b e w ll to k ow th opi io f ditf e e t

e
‘
n e n n o r n

a gricul tu r lis ts a C l u ll r c
. o e ds th a t
m e a e om m n

th e a r m b e t a ll with a p e d a t wooll y b e lly a

, n n .

,
.

lo g t a il th ic k fl e e c e a bro a d f ore h ea d twist ed

n , , ,

h or s (t h ough if with out hor s still b e tte r ) a d

n n , n

l a rge t e sticl e s ; t to b put t e w e till thr e e

'

no e o s

y e rs old a d t a fte r e ig h t M a rkh a m

a , n no .
-
.

T he a l a r g e i e e y ge era l p a rt with a
r m n v r
/
n ,

lo g body a d l a rg e b e lly ; foreh e a d bro a d

i

“
n n ,

rou d d w e ll r isi g ; a ch ee r f ul l a rg e e ye
n , an n ,

st r a ig h t shor t os trils a v r y sm a ll u zl e
n , e m z ,

by m
no e a s a n
y hnor s ( f th e hor n l e ssn a re or

th e b e st br e d rs a d do
e e t e d a n g e r th e
, n no n

ew a th e h r
e s d d ) ; a l a rg e uprigh t n e ck
o ne o ,

f ‘so m w h at b
e di g l ik e th e n e ck o f a hors e ;
en n ,

a ve ry b r a d b a ck o r u d buttocks ; a t h ick
, o n

t a il a n d sho r t j oi t e d l egs sm all cl e a n a n d

, n , , ,
1 1 62 E ss ay on Sh eep .

and p ea s e or I n d i a cor n grou n d tog eth e r shou ld

n

t b e sp a re d I pre fe r ys e l f to m ak e th e m ‘
no . m ,

o r e ve wh e a t co r n a nd ye i to bre ad a d
n , , r , n ,
n

giv e h im a sl ic e thre e tim e s in th e day T h is '

is mor e c n v e i e t th a givi g l os e gra i n b e

o n n n n o ,

c a us e if y ou r ra is a ta m a s h e s h ould a lwa y
, m s e s

b h will r e c iv e it f r th s h p h r d s h a d
’
e, e e om e e e n ,

so a n t to r e d e r it n c e ss a ry to t a k e him up
s o n e

to f e d w h ic h is a tte d e d wit h a gre a t d e a l o f

e , n

tr ubl e A littl e o a ts or b a r l e y i troughs or

o .
, n ,

I n d i an cor sc a tte r e d v e r th e cl ea r sw a rd f ro m
n o ,

wh n c e th e y will pick it up i si n gl e gra i n s

e n ,

w ill bri n g th e e w e s i n h e a rt (if th e y h a v e n o »

l a mbs ) a t a n y s ea so th a t m ay b e r e quire d I f n .

th e fl o c k co ists o f a g e d e wes with mod era te

ns ,

c a r it will a t l east d ubl e

e u ally I f a c o ann . on

s ide rab le pr portio a e e w e s th a t h a v e th ir

o n r e

first l bs am c a r e c a pre v e t a loss f a t l e ast

, no n n o

fi fte p e c e t upo t h os e o f th e you g e we s

en r n . n n ,.

u n l e ss i d e d th e flock is v e ry sm a ll
n e T he .

Me ri o e w e s a e l e s prolific t h
n rt h os e f our s an o

cou try s ldom prod uci g twi s

n , e n n .

Sa lt —I h a ve e tio e d th a t s a lt w as c o n
. m n n

s id e red by th e Sp a ish s h e p h e rds a ss e ti a l to n s e n

th e h l th f sh e p a n d th is s e ti e t is v ry
ea o e , n m n e

g e r l i v e r y p a rt o f E urop e xc e pt i E g
ne a n e e n n

l a d w h os si tu a tio r e d e r the a i su ffici e n tly

‘
n , e n n s r

s a lt .T h e s a m e co s qu e c e f rom s i i l a r c a us e s
n e n m .
 E ssay on Sheep . 163

ta ke s p l a c e h e r e Up Lo g Isl a n d a d ls n e
‘

. on n -
e

w h e re e a r th e e th c ttl r e quir n s a lt
n s a, e a e e o , n or

m a i fe st
n d i f an i t ; w h r
e s re a s th o r t h e e on e n
y or ,

o f th Hig h l a ds t h y e a t it r a v
e n usly a d it
e en o , n

is th ugh t e ss ti l t th i r h l th T h
o en a o ci e ea . e an

en ts ls a te r t a i ne d si
o en il a r s e ti m e ts th is
m n n on

s ub ct r s l pr sc ib d p ck v ry
j e A i . t t r oe n e e e o e e e

fi d a ys d u r i g th e summ e r t
ve , n n hu dr d , o o e n e

sh p We s h uld c i d r th is a l rg l
ee . o on s e as a e a ~

l wa c but it would b r e a dily eat e T h y

o n e, e n . e

a lso obs e r t h a t h owe v e r g od y ur p astu r s

ve , o o e

m ay b th e s h ee p will ti r e
e, f th e if t o m no

ch g e d u n l ess th e ir a pp e tite s a re k pt up by
an , e

s a lt

I h a ve b e e so o ft e n a sk e d h w much f ood
n o

is n e c ess ar y f a sh p a d i n d e d soluti
or ee , n , e , a on

o f th e qu e sti is o i p rta t th a t I th i n k it
on s m o n ,

r igh t t st a t a ll th a t I c a n coll e ct u po th e
o e n

subj e ct I h a v a l e dy giv e n Da ub e to s
.
‘

e r a n n
’

v e r y a ccura te e xp e rim e ts a d th e y m ay s r ve n , n e

a da ta to d t e rmi e th e comp a r a tiv e v a lu e

s e n f o

r a ss a d th n r gr ee prov e en d r L a wr
n c e en e,
g o .

w h a pp a rs to b e a
o e ccura te a d w ll i n a n e n

fo r m ed g r icultu ra list s ays t h a t a sh e p will

a , , e

e t tw
a ty pou nds o f tu rn e ps i twe ty f ur
en n n -
o

h ours but t h a t
, g a llo f po ta to e s will g
on e n o e

n e al ly su ffic ; f ro
r w h ich it would f llo w
e m o ,

th a t l e ss th a n e ight pou n ds o f po t a to es a qu al re e
1 6 43 E s s ay on Sh eep .

i n va l u e to t we n ty p ou n ds o f tu rn e p s A s the :

s iz e f th sh e e p a re o t giv e n w e a re ig or an t
o e n , n

t w h a t sp e c ie s o f th e m to r e fe r th is a ss e rtio n ;
o

an d e t th y d i ffe r ve ry wid e ly f rom e a ch ot h e r

y e

i n th i siz e a n d f rm upo bo th o f wh ich th e

e
r o , n

qu a tity o f f od e c e ss a ry f o r th e ir s upport mus t

n o n

i a g r e t m sur d e p e d
n a ea H st t e ls th e n . e a es a o

comp a rati ve qu a n tity o f food r e qu ire d by a “

sh e p a d a
e n
e a
gh t or
n ix e to o e s el A n n n .

c urs e o f e xp e rim e n ts w as a d e to d e te rmi e

o m n

th e r e l a tiv e qu a tity f f od e a t n by d i ff r
n o t o e e en

k i n ds o f sh e e p Fo ur o f th e South Dow n
“

br e e d whos e w e igh t is a bo ut e q u a l to twe ty

, n

p ou ds a q u a rt e r e a t in s e v en da ys tw e n ty
n ,
-
o

n i e po u n ds o f c a bb a g e a n d s e v e n ty p ou n ds
n

of ha
y T h is
. co m e s to two a n d a h a l f pou n ds

of ha a d o e pou n d n n i n e p en n y w e igh t -
y , n

of c ab b g wh ich e xc e e ds D a ub e n to n s c l ’
a e, a

cul a tio n ; b ut n o t mo r th a n m ay b e a ccou t e n s

ed f from th e d i ff r e t siz e o f th e sh e p
or e n e .

W h a t follows is a st ish i g : th s a m e s h e e p e a t
on n e

d a ily o f gr ee n v e tch e s n h u d re d a n d s e ve n o e n

p o u dsn or tw e ty s ix p ou ds
, p
n e r d i e m ea ch
-
n .

V tc h e s
e u st by t h is be l e ss n u trie i u th a n n a
m o s ~

t l g r ss ea rly a two a n d a h a l f to e It
u ra a
,
n s -
on .

i possibl th t clov e r wo uld a fford a si il a r e

s e a m r

sul t T h is ug h t t be i ve stig a te d It is n ot
o o n .

l e ss import a n t to k n ow th e n um ber o f Me ri n o
 1 66 E s s ay on Sh eep .

n ea a n d a h a l f p a cre will c a rry a n d k e e p er ,

i go od stor e st a t e ix a n d a h a l f Sp a ish R ye
n s n -
v

l a ds f r om f our to four a n d a h al f Sp an is h
n ,

South Dow s a llowi n g tu rhe p n , p ease a d s, , n

h a um in th e d a d wi te r o t h s T h e l a rg e n m n .

s t bre e d
e f South Dow a re stock e d i n S u s
o n

e x a t th
s , r t f f our p a c r ; f f ull b r e d
e a e o er e o -

Me i o e a n a cr e W ll c a rry a proportio n abl y

r n s, l

g r ea t r umb r T h e y h a v b e e fou n d v e ry
e n e . e n

a t to t a k e bo th fl sh d f t f t w
p a on a ; r e n o o

e w e s e xh ibit d a t B a th fi ft y gui e s w e re n ea re

f us d eO ac . f g od gr a ss will k e e p 5 0 0
ne re o o

coupl e a da y T h e h a rd e r yo u stock th e .
,

m r e gr a ss a n d th e ore sh p you a y
o , m ee m

k e e p ; b sid e s th a t h rd stocki g wi ll r n d e r
e , a n e

th co a r s gr a ss fi e
”
e e n .

I h a a ss e r t d th a t a cr ss wi th M e ri n r ams
ve e o o

up o n an t ck would d d a t l ea st e th ird to on
y s o a -

th v a l u
e f th e w l t a ki g qu a ti ty a d qu a
e o oo , n n n

l i ry t g th e r ; I h ow e v e r p r e sum e d t h is f rom
o e , ,

m
y ow xp i
n ee c a d f r er a cr ss I h a d
n e, n om o

s ee b tw e e n M ri o a d a lo g wooll e d B r i
n e a e n n n

tis h sh e p I h a v si c
e . e t with th e f ollow e n e m

i gcn firm a tio s f my a ss e rtio s e v e c a y

on n o n , n r1

i ng t h uch fa t h e t h a n I h a v e d o e I
em m i 1 n .

w ish e d to c fi e mys e l f to th e strict st b u ds

on n e o n ,

th a t v e ry s xp r i e ts ig h t a t l a st
’
e m an e e m n m e ve

r ify m i e a d e xci t th a t co fid n c e i n
n , n y e n e m
 E ss ay on Sheep . 1 67

re comm e n d atio n s wh ich I wish to i spi r n e.

M r Arbuth ot f B t h (f r m rly a wooll e

. n , o a o e n

m a u fa ctu re r ) is f ully c v i c d f th pra e

n , on n e o e

tic ab ility f e qu a lli g Sp a ish w

o l i E g n n oo n n

l a d ; h h f s v r l y r s t r i d th Sp a is h
n e as or e e a ea e e n

c r ss with th e W iltsh ir e bre e d n ea ly t bl g

o , r re zn
'

th wo l i qu a tity a d i p
e o n n
g t e , n m ro v m 1 x

tr el i n qu a l ity T h c r c a ss e s a r d u e a re
em
y . e e

ed i siz b t i p r ov d i th
n e, u m uld a d e n e m o , n

th e d ispositi n t fa tte i a ed I quote ”

o o n n c re s .

th is fr o L a wre c w h ls a dds th a t in
m , n e, o a o ,

E gl a d Mr Toll e t h a d go e v ry succ e ss f ully

n n . n e

i t th e br e d i g f M i o e g tti g h i stoc k
n o e n o er n s, e n s

f rom Lord So r vill e H e m e tio s a tup f . m en n o

h is th a t w a a dj udg d a t th irt n o t h s ld
s e , ee m n o ,

to we ig h twe ty pou ds th qu a rte r f wh m

n n e , or o

h e r f us d tw h u dr d gui e a s a d
e e o n hu e n , n one n

d r d f h is h ire f a s e a so
e or He th
or st te s n . en a

th e e ff ct f h is cro s es i th e first d e gree

e o s , n , on

South Dow a d R y l a d we s a d m a k s th e
n n e n e , n e

av r g
e a i c r a s d v lu e l e e s h illi gs a d
e n e e a e v n n n

s ix p e c st rli g p
-
n e e fl ee c e n 1 5 0 pe c e n t
er , or r ;

a dv a c n upo th wool
e n ec e ly o n on r oss on .

T h e f ll wi g o pi io
o o nf M r Toll t m e rit s n n o . e

gre a t a tt e tio H e j udg es t h a t a a e f l a d

n n . n cr o n

w h ich will k e p t h r e e Sou

e t h Dow sh e p si n e ,

mil a r t our b e s t s h e p would be su ffi i e t t

o e , c n o

k ee p four Me in o es T h e p o du c e i wool o f
r . r n
1 68 E ss ay Sheep
”

on .

Sout h o s w ould be th irtee n sh il li n gs

‘

th e D wn
a d ix p en c e pe a cr e th a t o f th e Me rin o es
n s -
r ,

£ 3 1 5 s 6 d st e rl i n g
. . .

T h e a dv a n t a g e s o f th e i n trod uctio n f th e o

Me ri n o sh ee p h a v e e v e n b e e n a ck n owl e dg e d
i n th e south e r n h e mis p h e r e I Ne w South n -

W a l e s th e y h a v b e n bre d to g r t dv t g e
e e ea a an a ,

a n d th e w ool h a n o t d e g e n e ra t e d
s C apta i n .

M ‘ A rth u r st a t s th a t i n t
eh e y, ea r 1 8 0 1 th e r e
w e re 6 7 2 0 a fe w h a vi g b e en origi n a lly i tro
, n n

du c e d from th e C a p e f Good Hop e to wh ic h o -

,

p l a c e th y h a d b e e n t ra n sport e d b y th e Dutch
e .

H e x h ibite d to th e S e cr e ta ry o f St a t e th e fl e e c e
‘

o f a co a rs e e w e v a l u e d a t n i n e p e n c e e r p ou n d -
, p ;

a d th a t o f h e r l a m b by a Me ri n o ra m
n va l u e d ,

a t th r e e s h illi gs st e rl i n gn

It is u n n e c e ss a ry to multiply pr o fs on th i s o

h ea d ; ugh h as b e e s a id to co n vi n c e e v e ry
en o n

u n p rej ud ic e d m a n th a t h is profits f rom sh ep e

b e doubl e d by ch a gi n g h is stock I f h e
m a
y n .

h a th e m e s l e t h im procur e f ull br e d r a ms ;
s an ,
-

i f h e h a n t le t h im t k e th e rs o f i fe rior
s o , a o n

g ra d e f wh ich m a n y m a y n w be procure d
, o o

h e will by this b e a pproxi a ti n g th e gr e a t o b m »

jc t h e h as in vi e w ; a n d le t h im be a ssur e d
e ,

th a t e v n o n u a rt e r M ri n o blo o d will gr e a tly

e
q e e
-

im p rove h i stock th e v r y first ye a r e v e n to

s e ,

doubl e a n d tre bl e th a o un t o f h is dv anc es e m a

 E ss ay on Sheep .

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 E ssay on Sheep . 1 71

It will a lso b e f u to be a cqu a i t ed w i th o se n

th e se v r a l bre e ds f Sp a i a a dir e ctio t

e o n, s n o

t h s e w h a y e d a vour t i port sh ee p f r m
o o m n e o m o

th c ; f t h ug h e v e ry sp ci s f th M
en e o r, o e e o e e

ri is v a lu a bl y t th y d i ff r wid ly fr m
no e, e e e e o

e cha th r i b uty i form a d i fi e ss

o e n ea , n , n n nen

o f fl ee c y b j udg
e, a s m d f r o thae p r ic s i e e m e n

Sp a i w h e r L e o a d E e l w ol s e lls f
n, e n n sc u r a o or

1 00 c ts w h il t h t f A r g b r i gs ly
en , e a o a on n on

6 0 ; wit h s e v e r a l i t e r e di a t gr d s w h i h I n m e a e , c

h v e giv e i a for e r co
a n u ic a tio n t th e
n m m m n o

S oci e ty f Us e ful A ts T h os e m ost t d a e

or r . no e r

th e s h ee p f th E l f Gu d l p e P u
o e s c u rea , o a a oa , a

f th e Duk e D E f M tu o a n d ’ ' '

la r, o ta a n an o, on rz ,

f th A g tt T h fi r st f o fi e e ss f w ol
'
’
o e e re z . e , r n n o o ,

is th s t p e rfe ct f a ll th e tra v e lli n g fl cks

e m o o o

o f Sp i ; th e s e co n d fo f o r m fi e e ss a d
a n , r , n n n

a bu d a c n f th e fl e c e ; th e t h ird ( P ul a r )
n e o e a ,

w i th si il a r fl ee c e s a r lo g e r bod i e d
m T he , e n .

l a mbs o f th is s tock a n d t h a t f th e D uk e , o

D E fa n ta do a re c mmo ly d r opp d wit h a

’
n , o n e

th ick cov e ri n g wh ich c h a n g e s i t v e ry fi e

, n o n

wo l T h e N e gre tti a th l a rge st b r ee d i

o . re e n

Sp i It is fr th e l ast stock t h t E ngl a n d

a n . om a

h a d raw h Me i o
s n e r n es .
1 7 41 E ssay on —
Sh eep App en dix .

triciou s f d giv e n th e m ; such a o a ts old I

oo s , h

di ancor a d w h e a t bre d : c a r e s h uld be

n, n a o

t k a t h a t th e y u rs th e ir l a mbs d uly f i t
en n e , or

o fte n h a pp e n s th a t t h is compl a i t s a ggra v a te d n 1

by a p e ury f ilk ; i th is c a s e th e d fic i
n o m n e

e cy sh ould b e su ppli e d by cow s milk boil ed

’
n ,

o r by l tti g th e l a b suck
n w e m a co .

—
H o e Sh e p tur e d i to clov e r to o s u d
v e n n .

de n ly a d with , n pty sto a chs a re som e em m ,

ti e s i fl a t d h y t h wi n d i f th a t org an th e
'

m n e e n ,

o r ific e f which i topp e d by th e f ood th e y

o s s

h a ve tak Th is th fa r r c a lls b e i n g h ov e
en . e m e :

All ru i ti g c a ttl a re subj ct to it O n be

m na n e e .
l

i g a ff e ct e d with it th e y sw e ll v e ry sudd e ly
n , n ,

a d u l e ss sp e e dily r e li e v e d
n , n th y di S e v e , e e .

ra l r e e di e s a e pr e scrib e d f
m th is d is
r s ; th e or ea e

fir t a d o st e ff ctu a l is to plu g e k i f i to
s n m e n a n e n

th p a u c h T h e s h e p will w e ll most th e
e n . e s on

l e ft sid e a d a p a rt f th e s w e lli g will b e e ry

, n o n v

p rotub e ra t b e low th e h ip bo n e I to this pro

n -
. n

tu b e a c e plu g e a k n i fe sh a r p
r n n t th poi n t ,
a e

a d d ull
n th e e dg on t to cut u n e c e e, so a s n o . n s

a il sid e w a ys T h e d e pt h m u st b e r e gul a te d
s
yr .

by th d e g r e f swe lli g ; th e r e is l ittl e d a g

e e o n n er

o f goi g t n d ee p a d th e k i fe m ust te r
oo , n n en

t h e st a h t
om b ffe c tu a l T h e a p e rtu r m ust
c o e e . e

b k e pt p
e tillo ll th e wi d is d is h rg d
en a n c a e ,

w h ich will b e i a f e w mi n ute s A n oth e r e n . r s

 E ssay on S heep —App endi x . 1 75

m e d y is to ta k e a p c f ra tt o r gr a p i e ie e o an e v n
-
,

w i th a a t ur l a r tifici l k b a t th
' '
'
~
n a or d a no e en ,

c v e r e d wit h clot h
o r l ea th e r a d to thrust i t o , n

dow th e t h r a t i to th st m c h T h is wil l
n o n e o a .

op th e a p r tur
en d th w i d will b d is
e e, an e n e

c h rg d T th s e urgic a l p e r a ti s c h e i
a e . o e s o on m

c al r e d i es a
em so ti e s substitut d re d m e m e , an

sh ould be first t ie d if th e r e is ti f r it ; pi t
'

r m e o a n

o f li s ee d oil h
n b e e succ ss f ully giv as or n e en ,

a soluti f pot a sh
on o com o l y b th f or m n e : o o

th e s e will co bi e with th m c a bo ic a cid i n

n e r n

th e sto a c h d
m a
y f, c urs
an e ffe c t a cu r
m , o o , e e

if giv i su ffici
en t qu titi s t abs r b th
n en an e o o e

a ir .

P urgzng
'

.
—Sh e e p
tur e d i to p astures in th e n n

sp r i g a e v r y subj ct t a pu rgi g p r i cip a lly

n r e e o n , n

f ro m a c ha ge i di e t a d l yi g
n n th e w e t , n a n on

g r u d a ft r b g tur e d u t f t h i dry folds

o n e ei n n o o e r .

T h i is i g n ra l
s n a l a dy
e f l ittl co u s e
e a m o e ~

uen c e a d p r h ps is s a lut a ry upo

n e th e wh l
a n o e,
q ,

if no t t gre a t or too lo g co ti u d I h a v e
oo n n n e .

n v r us d a
e e r ee d i s f it but I co n c iv e
y n ; m e e or e

th a t foldi g i th e i r wi te r t up dry litt r

n n n co , on e ,

for a f w igh ts with a h a d f ul f h a y a d

e n , n o n

gra i would ch ck it : t th is a y be a dd d
n, e o m e

s a lt , ix e d Wit h a y a bs rb e t a rth w h ich

m n o n e ,

th e s h e p will a t v ry r ea d ily
e I f a y a re
e e . n so

much a ff ecte d as to be weak en e d by it a d , n

1 76 , E ssay on S heep .
-
/ 1 pp en dix .

th e disord r d s n o t yi e ld to thos e re m e di e s
e oe ,

a dos f c a stor oil a d housi n g with dr

e o n
y , ,

f o d p a rticul a rly a crust o f wh e a t br e a d will

o , ,

g e ra lly r estore th e m
en

—
S a b T h e d isord e r wh ich most aff e cts ou r
c

sh e e p is th e sc a b T his a pp e a rs first by th e . .

sh p rubbi g th s l v e s
ee n d pu l li n g ut
em e an o

th e ir w ol As soo as th is is b e rv d r
o .
“

n o s e ,
’

wh e loos e locks o f wool a pp e a r to ris e upo n

n

th ir b acks a d s h uld e rs th e y sh ould be e x

e n o ,

a mi ne d th e wool t a k e n out a d a l ittl e s p irits

, , n

of turp e ti e a d h og s fa t rubb e d o th e
n n n
’
-
n

pl a c e I f th is b
.
g l e c t d fo s tim
e _n e e a n d e r om e ,

th e d isord e r i cr e a s e s th e sk i n will f e e l h o t
n ,

a n d h a rd to th e h a d ; a d if lo n g e r n e gl e ct e d
n n , ,

th e wool will pull ff i l a rg e qu a titi e s a d o n n , n

th e sc a b b e co v ert e d i to a sor e f rom w hich

n n ,

a sm a ll qu a tity f m a tt e r will ooz e a n d clot

n o .

th e low e r p a rt o f th e wool ; a n d i f a ltog e th e r

l e ft to its e l f th e wh ol e fl e e c e will drop ff d

, o , an

th e sh e e p pi e a w a y ; but th e y will g e e r a l ly
n n ,

i n a c e rt a i d e gr ee r e cov e r f r m th first a tt a ck
n , o e

w h e n th e y ge t t gr a ss ; th e y will h o w e v e r b
o , , e

v y li abl e to t a k e it a g a i n th e n e xt wi n t e r a n d
er ,

th it g e e ra l ly prov e s fa ta l I h a ve n e ve r
en n .

f il e d t cur e mi n e in t n d a ys by th e f oll w
a o e o

i g tre a tm e t
n First I s e p a ra te th e sh e p ( f r
n .
,
e o

it is ve r y i n fe ctious ) ; I th e n cut o ff the wool

 1 78 E ss ay on Sh eep -
App en dix .

f rom th c dow th e thigh s an d ribs A goo d

en e n .

s h e p h e rd will h ow e ve r pre ve n t it e v e r a tta i n

, , s

i g to this d e gr e e o f m a lig ity

n D a ub e n t n n . o

re comm e n ds spirits f turp e n ti e a d h og s o n n

f

l a rd or su e t with out a y o th e r m ixtur e as l es s

, n ,

h urt ful to th e wool a n d e qu a lly e ffe ctu a l T h e

, .

fin e woo ll e d s h e p a n d p a rticul a rly th ra m s

-
e , e

th a t a re exh a uste d by cov e ri n g a re m os t su b ,

e c t to it ; a d i ooll d ocks it
j h fi w fl i
‘

t e n n n e s e-

a ls omost d i fficult to cur It s p rea ds n o t m e rel y e .

b y con t ct f a h p w ith a th e r but by

o one s ee no ,

th ir l a yi g u po n th e sa m e grou n d or rubbi n g
e n ,

a g a i n st th e s a m e p ost .

S agge
t D iz z in es 8f
rs , c —T h is d isord e r I h av e
s, .

a lr e a d y d e scrib e d a n d h a v e d e t a il e d my succe ss
,

i curi n g it by p ati e n c e a n d a tt n tio n It s e ldo m

n e .

s e iz e s sh e p o f mor e th a n
e n e y e a r old a d is o , n

g e r
ne a lly co sid e r e d a s i n cur a bl e ; though som e
n

a ff c t to cur e it by tr e p a n n i n g or b ru nn ing a
e
y ,

sh a rp wir u p th e n ostrils i n to th e bra i s a s

e n, o

to d isch a rg e th r ough th e ostrils th e w a te r n

wh ich is coll e cte d th e re a d wh ich is s a id to , n

b th e c a us e o f th e disord e r
e W h en i t s s e a t e d . i

n e a r th e upp e r p a rt o f th e bra i n it m ay be d is 3
,
-

ti gu i h d ; th e skull bo n e b e comi g so ft i m
n s e n

m e di a t ly bout it s o a to yi e ld to th e pre ssure

e a , s

o f th e fi n g e r But h avi n g n o oth er e xp e ri e n c e

.
 E ss ay on S lwep .
—
App en di r . . 1 79

on subj e ct th a th a t wh ich I h a ve m e n
th e n

ti n e d I c n a y n oth i g a to th e ffic a cy f
o , a s n s e o

th e h a rsh r e d i s prop s e d
em e o .

P lt R t
e - — oT l i is o ft
. mist a k e n f r th e
t s en o

s c a b but is i
, f c t a d i ff r t
n a d l ss d a g e rou s e en an e n

dis e a s e : i t h is th e wool will fa ll off a n d l ve

n , ea

th e s h e p e r ly a k d ; but it is t t d d wi th
n ea n e a en e

no sore ess t h ough a wh ite crust will cov e r

n ,

th e ski f r m w h ic h th e wool h a dropp e d

n o It s .

g e n e ra lly a ris e s from h a rd k ee pi n g a d muc h n

e xposur to cold
e d w e t n d i fa ct th e a n i
an , a , n ,

m a l o ft e d ie s in s v e re we at h e r f rom th c l d
n e e o

it su ffe rs by th e loss o f its co t T h e r m e dy a . e

is f ull fee d i g a w a rm st a ll a d a n oi n ti g th e
n , , n n

h ard p a rt o f th e ski with ta r oil n d butte r n , , a .

Ti k c— Th is i n s ct is e xtre m e ly h u r t ful t
e o

s h e e p ; it o ft re duc es th e ir fl es h by th e p a i n
en

it i d uc e s a d spoils th e ir wo l by th e ir ta ng
n , n o

l i g a n d rubbi g it a g a i n st tr e e s a n d fe n c e s
n n .

L ea n sh e e p a e fre qu e tly o cov e r e d by th m

r n s e

a s to occ a sio n th e ir d e a th T h e r e m e di e s a p .

pli e d in E n gl an d a e sol utio s f a e ic k r r n o rs n o

corrosive sublim a te a n d d e coctio s f tob a cco , n o .

T h e first a re d a g e rous to th n op e ra tor a d e , n

m a
y occ a sio n f a t a l a ccid ts ; th e l a st a re en

h urt ful to th e s h e p if t c a re fully a ppli d

e , no e

but a ll a e i n e ff e ctu a l
r thick wooll d sh e e p on -
e ,

b e c a use it is impossibl to di ffus th m e qu ally e e e .

1 80 E ss ay on S h een — App en dix .

I h a v e h a ppily d iscov e re d mod f e n tirel y a e o

d es troyi n g th e tick wh ic h is e a sy i th ppl i , n e a

c ti a d tte d d with
a on , n d a g er T k a
a n e no n . a e

b l lows to th
e z el
, f w h ich a pip e must be
e no o

a ffi d c a p abl
xe f c n t a i i g a h a d f ul o f to
e o o n n n

b a cc ; (th e r e f us e f ro th tob a cc is t s will

o m e on
’

a sw fi h t b cc a d w h il
n
) ; t
er t t se re o e e o a o, n e on

m a n h olds th e s h e e p b e tw e h is k e s le t a n en ne ,

oth e r op en th e w ool wh il e a t h ird b l ws th e , o

s m k e i to th fl ee c e ; clos e th w l
o n e th e e oo on

s m k a d o pe a oth r pl a c e a fe w i c h e s
o e, n n n e n

f r m i t a d so go v r th e wh l e sh p bl w
o ,
n o e o ee , o

i g ls und e r th e b e lly
n a o d b e t w e e th e l gs an n e

i t w e ty four h ours e v e ry tick wil l b e kill e d

n n ~
.

T h e whol e op e r tio a
y b e p e r f rm d u p o n
a n m o e

a sh e p i a bout two mi ut s
e n n e .

C ld a n d it c n eque ce
o ,
—W h e sh e e p a e
s o s n . n r

v r y ill k pt o r w h t h e y l y po d amp o r
e e , en a u n

w et g r u d i th e spri n g a d utum
o n n th e y a re n a n,

subj e ct t colds w h ic h a pp ea r by th e d i sc h rg e
o ,
a

o f mucus f r th e os e a d y s om d s me n n e e ,
an o

ti s by bli d e ss T h cur is wrmth d r y

m e n n . e e a ,

litte r a d good food It will h owe v e r h a pp e

, n . n,

th t s a sh e e p h a v e t a l l ti s th i d isch a rg e
om e a m e s

fr th e n os e ; but upo
om x a mi a ti t h os e , n e n on,

will g e r lly b e f u d t be old a d sh uld

ne a o n o , n o

b f tte d a s
e a a possibl e a th e y di figu e
s oon s , s s r

a flock a n d d o n o t a f r th e ir k e e pi g n
p y
, o .
 1 82 Essay on —
Sh n App
ee endix .

b lee d g n th e lower p art of th e ch e e k at th e

in l
,

s po t wh r e th e root e f th e f ourth tooth i l o

ac s
p ,

ed ,wh ich is th e th ick e st p ar t o f th e ch ee k

.
,

an d i m ark e d o n th e e xte r n a l surfa c e f

s o

th e bo n e f th e upp e r j a w by a tub e rcl e s u f

o

fi ie n tly promi n e n t to b e v e ry s e n sibl e to th e

c

fin g e r w h th e ski en f th e c h k is t uch e d n o ee o .

T h is tub e rcl e is a c e rt a i i n d ex to th e a gul a r n n

v e i n w h ich is pl a c d b low ; a n d th s v e i n e x e e i

t e n ds fro th e u n d e r bord e r o f th e j aw b en e a th
m

n e a r its a gl e to b e lo w th e tub ercl e wh ich is

n , ,

s e a t e d a t th e root f th e f u r th c h e e k tooth ; o o

f a rth e th e ve i n b e ds a n d e xt e n ds to th e c a vit y
r n

o f th e e e brow T h sh e p h e r d t a k e s th e
y e -
.

s h e e p b e tw ee n h is l e gs ; h is l eft h a d more n ,

a d a n c e d th a
v h is righ t wh ich h pl a c e s u n d e r
n , e

th e h e a d a n d gr a s p s th e u n d e r j a w n a r to th e
,
e

h i n d r e xtr e mity in ord e r to pre ss th e a gul a r

e ,
n

v e i n wh ich p ass e s in th a t p l a c e to m a k e it
, ,

sw e ll ; h e touch e s th e rig h t c h e c k a t th e spot

n e a rl e quid ist a t f r m th e e e a d th e mouth
y y n o n ,

a n d th e r e fi n d th e tub r cl w h ich is to guid e

s e e

h im a n d a lso fe e ls th e gul r v e i sw e ll e d
, an a n

b e l w th is tub e rcl e ; h th e
o a k e s th e i n ci e n m

sio n fr om b e low upwa r d h a l f a i ch in l e n gt h

.
,
n n

b e low th e middl f th e proj e ctio wh ich

e o n

se rv e s to guid 1 e 1 1m .
 E s say on Sheep .
—
Ap pen dzr
'

. 1 83

T he followi n g t abl e d esig n a ti n g th e tim e ,

th a t it will t a k e to form a M e ri n o flock fro m

o n e h u n dr e d commo n e w e s h a b e n co pos , s e m

e d a d tr a smitt e d to m e by Sim e o D e W itt

n n n ,

E q Surv e yor G
s . r al f th St te si n c e th i s
-
en e o e a ,

e ss y we t t th press It is v ry i g e n ious
a n o e . e n ,

a d c r r i e s wit h it suc h a stro g

n a t f n c o n v rc t o n o

th e pr ctic ability f c h a gi n g th e wh l e stock

a o n o

o f th e St a t i n to M e ri n o sh e p in th e cou r s e f a
e e o

v e ry few y e a rs th a t I a m sure my re a d e rs wil l

,

ex a mi e it w ith pl ea sure O e r e fl ctio n will

n . n e

o ccur to w it th a t it suppos e s th e e we s o f th e
, ,

first y e a r to bre e d Th is will h a pp en i f th e y .

c om e e a r ly a n d a re w e ll k e pt ; i f oth e rwis e,

m a y o f th e m w ill n o t dro p l a mbs th e first y e a r

n ,

a d i d e d m a n y good f a rm e rs a re
n n e f opi n io n o

th a t th e y sh ou ld n o t t a k e th e till th e y a e ra m r

e ight e e o n ths old T h e t abl fur ish s th e

n m . e n e

m a s o f c al c ul a ti g th e stock f f ull blood a t

e n n o -

th e e n d f e ght y ea rs in e ith e r c a s e
o i Mr D e . .

W itt a lso suppos e s o ly e ighty l ambs f r m e n o on

h u dr e d w e s th oug h in g e e r a l t h r e will b e
n e , n e

o e h u n dr e d l a mbs r a is d f rom th a t n umb r o f

n e e

ew es i f th e y a re pro pe rly k e pt ; th e doubl e

,

l a mbs m a ki n g up for t h os e th a t a e lost It r .

would b e curious to follow it through a ll its a r »

m ific a tio s a n d st a t e th e n u m b e r o f Me rin o es

n ,
1 84 E ssay on Sheep .
—
App en dix .

of di ff r t d e gre e s f blood th a t would origi n

e en o ,

a te i t h is flock from s h e e p sold withi n th e

n

e ig h t y ea rs a d to c a lcul a te th e p rofits th a t
, n

re sul te d f rom th e ch a n g e d uri n g its whol e pro

gress by th e s l e f th e m a l e s a n d th e i n cr eas e d
a o

v a lu e o f th e wool .

Sch em e f or tra ns m it ting a f loc k f

o 1 00 c om m on

E wes a n d th eir i s s ue in to M erin o S heep .

6 3
a nd .

40 1 6

20 3 2 s o 6

40 1 9

MN Ob gc 1 6 35 35 10

6 P Q R gc de
- 3 5 24

3
7 ST U V f 22 3 8 38 1 4

8 W Xt g 44 44 29

Th is sch e m e su p pos e s o n e to comm e n c e th e

e st a blishm e t o f a M
n i o flock with two M e
er n

ri o r s a d e h u n dre d commo e we s a d
n am n on n ,
n

th a t e h u dr e d e we s will a u lly bri g fo r ty

on n nn a n

ra m a d f orty e we l a mbs
n T h e 3 d 4th 5 th . , , ,