McGuffey's & KISS KISS Grammar Main Course Page
(Code and Color Key)
Lesson XXIV.
SHEEP-SHEARING
McGuffey's Second Reader
Directions

    Sheep are washed (P) and sheared (P) some time [NuA] {in the month}

{of June}. | This should be done (P) quite early {in the month}, [Adv. to "early"

before the hot days begin]. |

   It is fine sport (PN) {for those} [Adj. to "those" who look on], but not 

much fun (PN) {for the sheep}. |

    It is best (PA) {for the sheep} to have the wool taken [#1] off; | otherwise

they would suffer {in the summer time}. |

    [Adv. to "are driven" When the time comes {for washing the sheep [#2] }],

they are driven (P) {to a pond or a little river}. |

   Then they are thrown (P) {into the water}, one [NuA] {at a time}. | The men

[Adj. to "men" who are {in the water}] catch them (DO), and squeeze the

wet wool (DO) {with their hands} to get the dirt [#3] all {out of it}. |

    [Adv. to "are taken" When the wool is thoroughly dried (P),] the sheep are

taken (P) {to the shearer}; | and he cuts off the wool (DO) {with a large pair}

{of shears}. |

     It is then dyed (P), spun (P), and woven (P) {into cloth}. |

     {In a short time}, [Adv. to "grows" before the cold winter comes], new

wool grows out {on the sheep}. | {By the coming} {of spring} there is so

much (PN), [Adv. (result) to "so" that it must be cut (P) off again]. |


Notes
1. "Wool taken" can be explained as a noun absolute, or it can be explained as an ellipsed infinitive "the wool *to be* taken". See "Ellipsed Infinitives" in KISS Level 4, and see KISS Level 5.8 - Noun Absolutes. In either case, "wool taken" functions as the direct object of the infinitive "to have." The infinitive phrase functions as a delayed subject -- "To have the wool taken off is best for the sheep." See KISS Level 5.6 - Delayed Subjects and Sentences.
2. "Sheep" is the direct object of the gerund "washing." The gerund phrase functions as the object of the preposition "for."
3. "Dirt" is the direct object of the infinitive "to get." The infinitive phrase functions as an adverb (of purpose) to "squeeze."