Note E330 — 53.

"Sheep-shearing takes place only once, viz. in the month of June; the heaviest wethers weigh sixty pounds, others from forty to fifty pounds: they bear at the most not more than six, others four or five pounds of wool; one of the best wethers (notwithstanding that they are very abundant) sells for about twenty shillings, that is, ten French francs or five thalers; the inferior sort about ten shillings, or five francs; and the worst about six or eight English shillings. The skin of the best wether and sheep is worth about twelve pence, that is, four and a half German batzen; the worst about eight pence or three batzen; a pound of wool about twelve pence, or four and a half batzen."—Rathgeb, 1602, Rye, p. 51 (quoted in Harrison's Description of England, ed. Furnivall, Part I. p. lxxxiii). "Running Water is best, ... but then it is oft-times very sheer and cold."—T.R. (June).