The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1867-05-25
How 10 Shear Sheep.

First, have two good pair of shears; one pair
10 trim with, and the other to do the principal
work, and never use dull shears. A good oil
stone is the best sharpener. What are termed
downset shears, with blades five inches long we
consider best In using them, draw the
shears backward while making the clip, but
rather push forward and keep the shears level
r. and close, and never clip twice in one spot, as
- that cuts the wool .f1 t
To hold the sheep, have a bench high as the
lower part OF the knee-cap: or If the sheep is
large, it may be lower. Lay the sleeps back to
YOU with head to your right hand. Put your
right knee gently the Sleeps back, with its
right fore leg in the bend of yours you kneel,
having the sheep close TO the edge Of the bench.
with its back braced against your left leg Rest
81 your left arm the Sleeps lett flank, while you
hold its right hind leg in that hand, stretched
out TO the edge of the bench, and holding it if
you wish, if the sheep is disposed 10 struggle p
.t Commence shearing at the opening on the left
side of the breast, and trim OFT all the wool on
the belly and inside Of the hind legs, and remove
it to till the fleece is off, when the trimmings
, n of clean wool are to be WRAPPED in it. Il
To shear the body, place your left leg on the
q - bench, astride OF the sheep taxing the jaws in
s'lis your left hand, and clipping the foretop and
right side Of the neck, and down on the left
breast Then you change position stepping back
A.i little and raising the sheep on its hips, by
% 10 catching hold of the left hind leg with your right
a. hand without laying down the shears. Pull the
sheep close to the edge of the bench and place
your rlgnt between us llllu legs, WIN aus
neck and shoulders your left knee, rs it rests
the bench
Now clip over the point of the shoulder and
Csc then straighten the neck with your.Slef hand
without stopping the shears. and finish of the
brisket and neck, aud then clip Oh down the side
''@ and over the hipa back letting the sheepdown
gradually, az always to have the skin you are
clipping free from wrinkles 3 ora bsg 3'5a7s ~ :
Now take your left knee off the neck, and hold
it with your hand while you remove your right
.av leg and place the left in its place. that you
lip bring the right knee upon the bench, keep
ing the shears going all the time with the right
" hand, and clip that side over the point of the
80 shoulder and, raising the sheep gently, bring its
Al head between your legs, while you finish clip
al ping 8s .e4ll D tat- sU...4s I. s{
a., h Take care that the sheep does not struggle
and when done. lift it clear of the feeces; 20 IA
1N not to tear It, Fold the fleece with all the loose
s9f wool that is clean inside and roll It very snug,
40 with the cut end of the wool out, and tie with
ia, cotton Irvine, to look neat and bear hand.
ling without getting loose anu ragged. d 4.
@fN Following the above directions, YOU will need
asa to stop but twice for moment turn the sheep,
SO that the shearsare almost necessarily clipping
from the time you begin till you have finished
F'tcts for FMme,s " A''''' 'f-S s'F