Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1860-06-08
agricultural.
From the American Agricultural
S II T. T. = II L S b A n ID RN .


WASHING SHEEP
Tho object Of the washing is to remove the
filth which nccumulatos in the fleece during
the winter and spring, and tho gummy mate
rial or yolk which exudes from the skin, and
is retained in the wool. The cleansod fleece
properly folded, presents a more inviting APP
pcarance to the purchaser, and commands a
better price for being in good condition
In this latitude and further north, the wa
ter is not usually warm enough for washing
until the month of June. a certain degree
of warmth is not only demanded for the COM
fort Of the washer, who stands in the water
but for the proper cleansing Of the WOOL
The yolk dissolvcs much more readily in warm
water. Tho best time for washing is Just af-
ter a copious rain, to which the sheep have
been exposed. The more common method is
to select clear swift running stream, three
or four feet in depth, so that the sheep can
not touch bottom and hinder tho washer. If
there is fall enough in.thc stream, it will ex-
pedito the washing to have two dams, the
lower one furnishing a standing place for the
washers, and the upper one furnishing
stream Of water, and running from a trough
with fall Of two or three feet If the sheep
be held directly under this Jet OF water, it
Prepare a pen at the edge Of the stream, so
that escape shall be impossible, and so largo
that it will accommodate all the docks with
out giving them much room to run around
when they are wanted for washing. 1t is
matter Of good deal of importance, that they
should not be heated when they go into the
water. Let them be driven slowly to the
stream, and kept as quiet as possible in the
pen Many Of the colds which sheep contract
at this season, are owing to the neglect of this
v'eoautiop.. In handing tho sheop To tho
washers, catch them by the head and neck
never by the wool on the back. II the sheen
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. keepinp
the nose out of the water while he presses the
wool vigorously with both hands. The wash
ing is to be continued until the water flows
clear from all parts of the fleece When clean
they should be carefully conducted to place
of easy ascent, and the owner of the flock
should receive them at the edge of the stream
and see if the washing has been thoroughly
done. They should be made to stand still
after they get out, until the most Of the water
drains from the fleece. Care should be taken
not to drive them along dusty roads. To
avoid this, 1t is a great advantage if the wash
ing can be done at some stream on the farm,
or near tho sheep pasture. If this cannot be
done, a 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 briars, until shcaring.
Though there is not much danger of taking
cold in standing in tho water at this business
for two or three hours at this season, still
some prefer to keep the person dry. This may
be done by sinking hogshoad with one head
out, in the stream where tho 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 wash
CT stands within, and vets only his hands
and arms
Others accomplish the same thing, by max
ing dam, and running a aume out from the
top ten or twelve feet long, and about two feet
square. The top of the Aumo should be lust
high enough for the convenience Of the wash
er The sheep, in this method. arc best man
aged by two individuals, ono standing upon
each side of the fume. With good head of
water, the cleansing may be very rapidly and
thoroughly done in this way. In a week or
two after the washing, depending somewhat
upon the weather, the yolk, which is kind
of natural soap, will again be difTused through
the wool and give it that desirable softness
which indicates the proper time of
sHEARING.
The clipping Of the wool, though a simple
process, is an art in which one can attain skin
only by practice. In most neighborhoods
where sheep are kept, there are persons who
make business of shearing while the season
lasts, and it is generally good economy to Sc
cure them at advanced wages Green hands
are apt TO cut the wool uneven, and to hack
the skin Of the animal badly. 1t is desirable
that fair weather should be selected for this
work, as the sheep ought to be dry and clean :;
condition quite impossible in rains. Scru-
Pnlous attention to cleanliness will materially
affect the market price Of the wool If the
barn floor be selected for the shoaring. as is
usual, start the dirt out Of the cracks in the
floor, with few blows Of the fail, and sweep
out clean. Sweep up after every fleece is Ia
ken 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 a man should be on
hand to catch the sheep for them, to cut off
long toes and troublesome horns, and to mark
them when they are shorn. In shoarinu. be-
gin with the head aud 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 to the length OF the next fleece
Great care should also be taken to avoid clip
ping the wool a 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 the fleece.
II otherwise. the projecting ribs and hip bones
will stare the husbandman in the face The