Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1862-05-30
a AGRICULTURAL,
Washing ANA Sheal.lng Sheen.

The object Of washing is TO cleanse the
wool from the yolk or gum which is an oily
soap seereled BY the skin, a. well as to re-
move any other soluble dirt from the fleece.
The hard balls OF filth which adhere TO the
wool viii remain in spite of the washing
and if soaked often stain the adjoining
fleece. In those sheep whose wool abounds
in yolk, as the Mrrino, the shearingi is much
faci itatei by washing aud in all kinds the
wool is whittier, cleaner, and presents bet
ter appearance. The objections to washing
are, that unless extreme care is used, acct
dents will happen TO the sheep, and this loss
more than balances the gain 10 he owner.
Even with care, colds aud catarrh ('.ihe
snuiiles') ala ost uniformly arise from the
sudden chilling bath, and the health of The
sheep is often permanently injured. With
out washing, sheep may be safely shorn ten
days 10 three weeks earlier than when we
have to wait for the weather or water 10
become warm. AT this season many will
be shedding heir wool, especially ewes with
lambs, and a large share Of HE fleece is thus
sometimes wasted. The loss for few
months time embracing the last of May,
and first Of June, probably equals or ex-
ceeds the growth for the same period, so
that one twelfth, at least, is wasted.
To get the greatest yie d Of wool for the
year we honld shear early, without wash
ing. This is also saving Of labor, for the
labor of washing more than balances the
extra trouble of siearing them uuwashed,
and it also secures the health of The flock.
But on the other hand, buyers insist on de-
Quoting one third for unwashed wool, and
the quality appears hardly as 60 d as it
really is. Most kinds OF wool do not shrink
one third by washing on the back of the
sheep, but farmers will continue to roll up
in th unwashed feeces what really be-
Ion IS tosthe dung-hill, so that perhaps it is
not, on an average, loo large a deduction.
The best flock masters in many sections, are
generally disseminating he practice OF wash
Ing; aud breeders Of very valuable sheep
very rarely, perhaps never, Subject them to
the operation. liza sheep is worth 800,
the risk of his life aud health is too great,
and il is safe TO say that in flock Of which
it will take 20 sheep TO be worth 500, the
risk is decidedly greater,or rather there is
almost an absolute certainty of some essen
tial Damage TO lbc flock by colds contractei
etc. Sheep washing as practiced By the
best farmers is on this wise: A morning is
selected as early in June as The weather is
warm enough hot 10 chill the washers or
sheep, Immediately after good rain. The
sheep are then well soaked and half the
labor is accomplished There is no dust on
the roads and Tie sheep may return c can
10 their pastures. A pen made Of boards
CT hurdles just large enough TO hold the
flock and 50 high and firm that they cannot
possibly escape, is upon the bank Of clear
brisk stream. A dam OF few feet in hight
rises the water so that it flows in truughs
and falls with soma force upon the shee p
held by the washers in pool below, where
the water is just deep enough TO swim the
sheep. BY coaxing with salt and gentle
driving, the sheep are gathe.'ed in the pen.
ALL rudenesS in diving Il in handling is
avoided when cnce frightened they are
very difficult to manage. Two men go
into the water 10 wash third catches the
sheep, and fourth helps them out of the
water. flhey have not been well tagged
before, il should be done before washing,
for the water will not remove the hard
Jumps of dung. The sheep must not be
held by tae wool, except about the head,
for it pulls out very read ly at his time.
The washers hold the sheep Hnder the fall
ing water, squeezing tire wool until the
water runs away clear. II is surprising to
see how quickly the fleece of sheep, well
soaked by previous rain. is cleansed
OF all farm operations, sheep washing
most needs The eye ofae master In the
excitement of he rude scene. the flock are
liable to abuse, and too often from crowding
in the pen, heated from over driving, or
rude handling, serious losses occur; AMI /
sheep are not unfreqnenly found il the pen
dead, or in diving condition. They must !
be driven slowly from the washing to
clean pasture. The whole operation is
most distressing one TO the sheep. increased /
almost uniformly By the roughnrss of the
men, the best Of whom seem to think ii fine |
sport, and show no tenderness or humanity |
in their handling of tie poor frightened I
beasts. In about a week. If the weather is
dry, they will be ready for shearing. They
must not only be perfectly dry but the yolk
must flow so as TO give an oily sofness TO
the wool. The barn floor l. usually used /
for shearing, and must b. repeatedly swept
as the fresh shOrn wool is easily soled. /
Careful shearers, who will mel her waste the |
wool By cutting il in Two, nor wound the /
sheep, Though this care makes them slower.