A Dictionary of Occupational Terms Based on the Classification of Occupations used in the Census of Population, 1921.

ORDER II.—AGRICULTURAL OCCUPATIONS

Sub-order 1.—Agricultural Occupations

020.—Shepherds

looker (in charge of sheep), marsh looker: a smallholder on Romney Marsh who receives sheep sent down to graze in summer by upland farmers or graziers.
ruddleman: a shepherd (q.v.) who marks sheep to distinguish flocks or ownership by heating a marking iron, dipping it in red ochre and placing it on the sheep's back.
sheep dipper: prepares bath, for prevention of disease among sheep and for extermination of parasites, by dissolving chemicals in water; dips sheep in bath and sees that they are properly immersed before they are allowed to emerge from bath.
sheep shearer, sheep clipper: a farm worker who specialises in removing wool fleeces from sheep by clipping with hand shears or mechanically-operated clippers, usually in spring or late summer.
shepherd: a farm worker in charge of flock of sheep; selects suitable grazing land and, with assistance of boy and dog, keeps sheep within bounds; where necessary, fixes hurdles to form sheep fold; removes flock to fresh pastures when herbage is exhausted; protects ewes in lambing season.
shepherd's boy, shepherd's page (East Anglia): helps shepherd (q.v.) with sheep; rounds up sheep that have strayed and helps to remove flock to new pastures.

From: A Dictionary of Occupational Terms Based on the Classification of Occupations used in the Census of Population, 1921,
Ministry of Labour, 1927. Digitised by Peter Christian, August, 2016. This text is in the Public Domain.