And besides these, the number greatly harmeth shéepe, especially if anye Ewe being with yong happeneth to be alone at that instant, for that she then with lambe, doeth of the fearefull noyse of the thunder, deliuer hir yong one before the time. And for a speciall remedie to saue that vntimely casting of Lambes at such times, the skilfull shéepeheardes haue found out, that the only driuing of many Ewes togither, is a sure safegard to them to auoyde this occasion. Besides, if you will remoue the rot of shéepe, that they die no more, then take the belly of a Ram, and séeth the same in wine and water togither, which after mixe with water, and giue the same generallye to all the shéepe to drinke, for by that meanes shall they againe be recouered of their disease. And here learne, that the fleshe of shéepe, and other foure footed beastes, which commonly féede in moyste ground, is euill to féede vpon, for the harde digestion of the same. Also learne, that the good shéepe are knowen by their age, as being neyther to olde, nor yet as Lambes: and by the forme also they are knowen, if so be you finde them large of body.
And they besides haue much and soft wool, and both thicke & long heare, especially on the nape, and about the necke, and the like haire on the belly. And both the health & sicknesse of shéepe may be knowen, if so be any openeth their eyes, and findeth the vaines within to be redde and small, which vndoubtedly declareth them to be sound and good: but it those vaines that appeare white, or redde, and bigge, then those shéepe are diseased and weake.
And if the shéepe go lustily and boldely by the waye, it is a sure token that they be sound, but sadly and hanging down the heade, then be they diseased. These hitherto of the yearely coniectures, and other rules, only méete for husbandmen to vnderstand and know.
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Transcriber's note:
Scribal abbreviations have been expanded.
Variations in spelling, accenting, and hyphenation have been retained.
All instances of 'VV' standing in for 'W' have been changed to 'W.'
Table of Contents entries have been regularised to the format 'cap.xij.'