Year: 1861

Shearing sheep is an operation very few
know how to perform well There are
several reasons for this. It seems useless
to many to take pains to learn to do well
1t has to be done but once a year, and the
interval is so long, that what they learn
this year will be forgotten next, so it is
got through with as soon as possible. This
should not be; shearing should bo consid-
cred as much trade, and as well learned
as the carpenter trade.


1t is often the case, when boys begin to
shear, that the father forgets the old but
simple couplet:


Neither wise men nor fools,


Can work without good tools.


The boy must take the old shears, used
for tagging three or four years, with the
assurance that he must use them till he
knows how to take care of new pair. In
seven cases out of ten, this course so dis
courages the boy that his desire to learn
to shear ceases. Another reason for bad
shearlng is this: When farmers hire their
sbearing done, they want too much done
in a day, forgetting that wool is money as
well as time. The employer pays ths
shearer 81, so per day; he wants him to
shear from forty to fifty sheep. He is
pleased at night to know that lie has got
SO much done, and that the shearer has
earned bis money. He forgets that he has
lost enough in wool left on the sheep, to
pay for the days work. Suppose be shears
forty sheep, and leaves two ounces of wool
on each of them, (Which is often the eass)
which taken off would amount to 81, so.
Much of the work that is laid to rats,
might be avoided if farmers would tell
their shearers to do their work well, if they
did not do SO much.


| | have sheared from one to FIVE hundred
sheep each season for ten years, and like
the business so well that | always long for
shearing time to come. l will give few
hints needed to make good shearing.
The operrtor must have good pair of
shears. He must know how to keep them
in order, for it is very certain that dull
tool makes poor work. Good, sharp, bright
shears, not too sharp pointed, will run
smooth. The spring should not be so
timber as to double over the wool nor too
stiff so as to make the wrist lame With
skill, a steady nerve, and an even temper,
it can be made to do good work.


There are various opinions in regard to
position. Some shear on the floor, others
use bench. Good work may be done Ell.
ther way; Iprefer using a bench. In all
cases, the operator should hold the sheep
in the easiest possible position, and keep
the skin tight so as to make smooth sur
face to prevent cutting the skin, causing
the sheep to kick, or tear the fleece, and
so exert their strength as to injure them
and sometimes to cause death. This car
and ought to be avoided.


HAsTY NUPTIALs.-When the Fourth
Connecticut regiment left Hartford, after
the steamer had reached the Sound. a 10
man was found on board who Insisted OF
going as nurse. She was admirably quail
fed, so far as Miss Dix's regulations in re
gard to age and homeliuess went, but tht
Colonel decided that she could go only OF
one condition-that she must be married
Six brave fellows stepped forward-Con
necticut soldiers are always ready to vol
unteer in any enterprise, however hazard
ous-the nurse made her own selection
Lieut. Col. White oficiated as Justice AM
married them. and the happy couple wen
on their wedding tour to HagerstoWn.