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           Thegrasshadlastedjustlongenough,ekedoutbyscrub-cuttingfromthemorejuicytrees;butitwasnotsoonalltheGillystations.Howmanystockastationcarrieddependedentirelyonthegrazierrunningit.ForitsgreatsizeDroghedawasunder-stocked,whichmeantthegrasslastedjustthatmuchlonger.

           Lambingandthehecticweeksthatfolloweditwerebusiestofallinthesheepcalendar.Everylambbornhadtobecaught;itstailwasringed,itsearmarked,andifitwasamalenotrequiredforbreedingitwasalsocastrated.Filthy,abominableworkwhichsoakedthemtotheskinwithblood,fortherewasonlyonewaytowadethroughthousandsuponthousandsofmalelambsintheshorttimeavailable.Thetesticleswerepoppedoutbetweenthefingersandbittenoff,spatontheground.Circledbytinbandsincapableofexpanding,thetailsofmaleandfemalelambsalikegraduallylosttheirvitalbloodysupply,swelled,witheredanddroppedoff.

           Thesewerethefinestwoolsheepintheworld,raisedonascaleunheardofinanyothercountry,andwithapaucityofmanpower.Everythingwasgearedtotheperfectproductionofperfectwool.Therewascrutching;aroundthesheep’srearendthewoolgrewfoulwithexcrement,fly-blown,blackandlumpedtogetherinwhatwerecalleddags.Thisareahadtobekeptshavenclose,orcrutched.Itwasaminorshearingjobbutonefarlesspleasing,stinkingandfly-ridden,anditpaidbetterrates.