MODEL SHEEP – These larger-than-life Cotswold Sheep are a colored illustration featured in “The Illustrated Stock Doctor & Live Stock Encyclopaedia,” by J.R. Manning, M.D., V.S., circa 1880.                                                                                                                                

The volume is an illustrated guide to caring for horses, cattle, sheep, swine, bees, dogs and poultry. Though mainly clinical in nature, the heavily illustrated book links kindness, thrift, sobriety, cleanliness, hard work and adherence to Biblical principles to farm fecundity, prosperity and attractiveness. Several advertisements for Bibles appear at the end of the book, as well as testimonies from satisfied readers.

This book was among other animal care books on the Frey-Ja farm, operated by Don Francesco and Edith Champion. The farm’s small Greek Revival home (no longer standing) was near the edge of Rt. 414, just north of Crisfield Road, across from what is now Cowlick Farm. Some editions of Manning’s livestock guide are presently available at Internet rare book sites. (courtesy of Edith Champion, deceased)