The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1877-02-07
FARM, GARDEN AND HOUSEHOLD.
Collie Dogs IN Sheep Drivers.


Collie Dogs IN sheep Drivers.
An interesting trial of collies at work
between twenty and thirty entries
having been made-recently took place
at Alexandra Park, and is reported at
length in the Standard and other Lon
don papers. Pens half mile apart
were employed. The dog standing with
his master at the empty one was directed
by word toward the other, in which
were three sheep (fresh from the hills),
and these were unpenned as the dog
approached, and had to be driven and
ponned within the hurdles half mile
off. The man and dog walked together
along the racecourse until the sheep
were sighted, when he gave q sign or
word to his four-footed companion, and
the intelligent brute at once started of
at gallop, and sought first to drive the
sheep down the hill toward his master.
When he had succeeded in doing this
the man walked toward the pen, and the
dog drove the sheep after him until they
were near enough to cooperate IN get
ting the sheep inside. Twenty minutes
was the maximum time allowed, the
prizes being won by those which sue
ceeded in penning their sheep in the
shortest time, while those which failed
to pen within the allotted time were dis
qualified. :,
It was not difficult to discover that
dogs and sheep we're working under
great disadvantages, and animals which
have, no doubt, a well deserved reputa-
ton on their own hills failed to distin-
guish themselves under totally novel
conditions, though enough was demon
strated to make it apparent that these
collie trials are likely to become a very
interesting annual performance. Though
space Of ground was marked off by
ropes and stakes, which were respected
by the spectators, the sheep felt under
no restrictions, and the poor collie, there
fore. that had been used to the clear view
of Welsh hillside, with no human being
but his master within miles of him, had
to dodge his charges among visitors and
round plantations, which frequently hid
them altogether. The sheep were many
of them very wild and ran like deer, their
disincination to proceed in the direction
of the pen being increased from the main
flock being in full view, and thus stlmu-
lating the natural ovine tendency to re-
join companions.
In several cases, on the dog nearing
the three sheep, the nimble and indie
pendent wethers scattered and galloped
in different directions out of sight, when
the collie, after an honest attempt to
bring them together, seemed to con-
cludc that it was hopeless to complete
the task in twenty minutes, so he philo--
sophically dropped it altogether and
trotted back to his master. Some OF the
triads of wethers behaved in manner
more in accordance with the egregarious
traditions Of their race, and when IN ad-
dition to hanging together they happen
ed to start in the right direction down
hill, the first portion Of the dogs work
was easily and speedily done. The mar
:velous sagacity of the breed was seen
when the sheep were near the pen and
i the dog had to overcome their natura!
disinclination to enter. Not only dld
! tile animal in this position obey every
sign and word of his master, but he
would exercise what might almost be
called his own reason and discretion IN
the mode of carrying out his masters
wishes in fashion that was astonishing.
! Domestic Helps.
; To PREPARE LONG BRANCH PoTAroEs.
Peel a sufficient quantity of potatoes,
cut them in Long Branches with potato
cutter like that used in all large estab-
lishments; fry in plenty Of hot lard, dry
well and serve on folded napkin.
! LEMON PUDDING BAKED.--Stir over
slow fire, until they boil, four and half
ounces of butter, with seven ounces OF
pounded sugar; then pour them into
dish and let them remain until cold, or
nearly so. Mix very smoothly large
dessertspoonful of flour with six eggs
! that have been whisked and strained.
Add these gradually to the sugar and
! butter, with the grated rinds and the
iuice Of two moderate sized lemons. Put
lining of puff paste to the pudding and
bade it for an hour in gentle oven.
/ To Cook FRESH MAcKEREI.-Cleanse,
! draw, pare and remove the heads and
| UlllS OI 1OllT ldlSe, NCiJ AAC'i1
cut in halves, crosswise; place IN tiat
copper saucepan, with furnishing OF
vegetables, salt and pepper, and enough
boiling water to cover the fish, and place
a sheet of white paper over; set on the
fire, let boil and simmer gently tor nj
teen minutes; when done, dish up on
folded napkin, garnish with fresh parsley
leaves and serve with n sauce bowl OF
white ravigote sauce made with broth
from the fish.
To MAKE MUTTON PE.-Select q stale,
fleshy rack of mutton, cut it into chops,
pare them neatly, making them short 1T
and removing the superfuous fat; boil
the trimmings with some broth, vegeta-
hles and a few spices, to make a rich
gravy for the pie; season the chops with
salt and pepper; have deep baking
Iish, place them in circle, one resting
upon another, with the feshy end up;
fill the center with small round potatoes,
reduce the broth until there is Just sutti-
cient to cover the meat, add little salt
and pepper, let cool, cover with pun
paste; cook slowly for an hour and O
half, and send to table in the baking
dish.