that i f immediately after {hearing they were expofed to
the chilling air of the night, they would certainly periih.
One hundred and fifty men are employed to ihear
each thoufand iheep. Each perfipn is reckoned to ihear
eight iheep a day» but if rams, only five, not merely
on account of their bulk, and greater quantity of wool,
but from their ficklenefs of temper, and difficulty to
keep them quiet, the ram being fo exafperated, that he
is ready to ftrangle himfelf, when he finds he is tied ; to
avoid which, they endeavour by fair means and careffes.
to keep him in temper, and with -much Toothing, and
having ewes near him, they at laft engage him to Hand
quiet, and voluntarily fuffer them to proceed, f
On the ihearing day the ewes arc fliut up in a large
court, and from thence conduced into a fudatory,
which is a narrow place, where they are kept as clofe as
pofiible, that they may perfpire freely, in order to foften
the wool, and make it yield with more eafe to the *
ihears. This is particularly ufeful with refpeil to the
rams, whole wool is more ftubborn« The fleece is divided
into three forts; the back, and belly, give the fu-
perfine, the neck and Tides give the fine, and the breafts,
ihoulders and thighs, give the. coarfe wool.
The iheep are then brought into another place and
marked, examining thofe without teeth, which are deftined
tined for the flaughter-houfe ; the healthy are led to
graze, i f the weather permits, if not, they are kept
within doors, till by degrees they are accuftomed to thé
air. When they are permitted to graze without being
hurried, they felect and prefer the fineft grafs,
never touching the aromatic plants, though they find
them in plenty, and if the wild thyme is entangled with
the grafs they feparate it with great dexterity, avoiding
it on every occafion, moving eagerly to fuch fpots as
they can find that are without it.
When the ihepherd thinks there is a likelihood of
rain, he makes proper fignals to the dogs to collect the
flock, and leads them towards ihelter ; on thefe occafi-
ons the iheep not having time to chufe their pafture,
pick up every thing they meet, thyme, rofemary, and
every herb indifcriminately, even poifonous ones ; fuch
as henbane, poppy, and hemlock, particularly foon after
they arc iheared. Were they to take a fancy and
give a preference to aromatic plants, it would be a great
misfortune to the owners of beehives, as they would
deftroy the food of the bees, and occafion a difappoint-
ment in the honey and wax. They are never fuffered to
move out of their folds till the beams of the fun have
exhaled the night dews, nor do they let them drink out
o f brooks, or Handing waters, where hail has fallen,
experience having taught them, that on fuch occaiions
they