Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1860-06-07


Ii the sheep are not too heavy, they can be
lifted in the arms if very large, take them
by the fore legs, in passing them into the
water.
The washer should take the neck Of the
sheep upon the inside of the elbow, keeping
the nose out of water while he presses the
wool vigorously with both hands. The wash
ing is to be continued until the water flows
away clear from all parts Of the fleece
When clean they should be carefully con-
Quoted to a place Of easy ascent, and the
owner Of the flock should receive them at
the edge of the stream, and see if the wash
ing has been thoroughly done. They should
be made to stand still after they get out, I'M
til most of the water drains from the fleece.
Care should be taken not to drive them along
dusty roads. To avoid this, it is a great
advantage if the washing can be done at
some stream on the farm, or near the sheep
pasture. If this cannot be done day after
a rain should be selected, when the dust is
laid. After washing, they should be kept in
the freshest pasture, free from dirt and briers,
until Shearing.
Though there is not much danger of TAX
ing cold in standing in the water at this bus
mess, for two or taree hours at this season,
still some prefer to keep the person dry
may be done by sinking hogshead with one
head out, in the stream where the washing is
to be done. The vessel is confined in its
place by heavy stones upon the inside, and
the sheep is brought along the outside, while
the washer stands within, and vets only his
hands and arms.
Others accomplish the same thing, by ma.
king dam, and running fume out from
the top ten or twelve feet long, and about two
feet square. The top of the aume should be
just high enough for the convenience of the
washer. The sheep, in this method, are best
managed by two individuals, one standing
upon each side of the fumo. With a good
head of water, the cleansing may be very
rapidly and thoroughly done in this way
In week or two after the washing, depend
ing somewhat upon the weather, the yolk,
which is kind of natural SOAP will again
be diffuSed through the wool, and give it that
desirable softnes' which indicates the proper
time of
SWEARING.
The clipping of the wool, though a simple
process, is an art in which one can attain
skill only by practice In most neighbor-
hoods where sheep are kept, there are persons
who make business Of sheariug while the
season lasts, and it is generally good ecouo-
my to secure them at advanced wages. Green
hands are apt to cut the wool unev n, and to
hack the skin of the animal badly. 1t is de-
sirabe that fair weather should be selected
for this work, as the sheep ought to be dry
and clean; a condition quite impossible in
rains, Scrupulous attention to cleanliness
will materially affect the price Of wool. If
the barn floor be selected for the shearing,
as is usual, start the DIRT out of the cracks in
the floor, with few blows of the fall and
sweep out clean. Sweep up after every fleece
is taken off.
After the sheep are yarded, put few at
time into clean pen or stable, adjoining the
barn floor or place Of shearing If several
shearerS are employed, man shomld be on
hand to catch the sheep Tor them, to cut off
long toes and troublesome horns, and to
mark them when they are shorn. In shear
ing, begin with the head and neck, then the
legs and belly, leaving the sides and back to
the last The main thing is to shear evenly,
closenesS being minor consideration as
what is left, adds so much 10 the length of
the next fleece. Great care should also be
taken to avoid clipping the wool second
time, and the cutting of the skin, Shearing
brings to light the management of the sheep
for the past Winter. If this has been good,
the undressed animals will look sleek and
round without a fleece. If otherwise, the
projecting ribs and hip bones will stare the
husbandman in the face. The appearance Of
some of these neglected focks when shorn,
especially if they have had unskillful shear
ing, is most CHASTITY spectacle. The work
of starvation begun by the farmer, is not un-
frequently finished by the crows.
The folding Of the fleece is a matter OF
considerable importance to seller and purchas-
err 1t should be kept as unbroken as posi-
BILE while shearing, and if the matter have
not been previously attended to, all dirty and
clotted bits of wool should be removed. Pro-
vide table of the length of the longest
Aeeces, and three or four feet wide. A door
put upon two barrels will ansu er, if the door
is smooth. Spread the fleece upon the plat
form, SHARED side downward, and crowd the
wool together as closely as possible. Put
all the scattering locks of clean wool at the
ends, then fold over the sides so that the pack
when done up, will be from one to two feet
long, according to the size Of the fleece
Then fold over the fleece so as to make a
package as nearly square as possible, leaving