No. 7. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 591 



and this kind will, of course, make the most profitable kind for the 

 producer. There may have been a time when the carcass with great 

 rolls of waste fat on it was at a premium, but that time is past; and 

 I think that some statements that I have from butchers that bought 

 the champion carcass will bear this out, for they said that the very 

 fat carcasses in the contest were the ones that sold for the least 

 money, and some were so fat that they would not even bid on them. 

 As Pennsylvania produced her first champion wether carcass last 

 year, and her first chnm})ion steer carcass this year, it is evident that 

 we do not have to be in the great corn belt to produce champions. But 

 location and feed are not the only factors to be considered; for if we 

 expect to win we must have a good individual and good blood. 



THE SHEPHERD AND HIS FLOCK. 



By DICK STOXE, Stonington. III. 



Down through the historical record of mankind from the day 

 of the first Shepherd of the first family, Abel, the Shepherds or Flock 

 Masters have been considered the highest type of moral and 

 Christian manhTjod. Science proves that almost the total character 

 of man is influenced and developed by his surroundings and his 

 associations. Science also proves that certain character traits are 

 greatly influenced by man's constant care of certain domestic ani- 

 mals. Therefore the boy or man who takes an interest in the 

 care of flocks will develop character traits that will prove an honor 

 and a blessing through the years of his life. 



Kindness, gentleness and patience are the great elements of the 

 true shepherd's make-up. To the word patience we will also add the 

 term persistence. It is the man with the iron will, with dogged 

 determination who is to succeed in this age of sheep keeping. Our 

 reverses and set-backs should never discourage us, but instead 

 guide us to a greater endeavor. The "sticker" is truly the winner 

 in this as in every other undertaking. The brutal man, the indi- 

 vidual who has only a curse and a blow for each dumb brute under 

 his care, should never venture into sheep keeping. The sheep is 

 an extremely nervous and tender animal and therefore cannot with- 

 stand excitement and rough usage. With quiet handling the flock 

 will thrive. 



The sheep have often been termed the Golden Hoofs, in England, 

 they are termed the rent payers, in fact the sheep gives the quickest 

 money returns and the greatest dividends, considering capital in- 

 volved, of any of our domstic creatures. 



Wool, lamb and mutton are the commercial products of the 

 flock. This is not mentioning the valuable fertilizer produced by 

 the sheep, which is returned to the soil. The flock also helps to 

 enrich its owner by keeping his premises free from foul weeds. 

 There is scarcely a variety of weed the sheep will not consume, 

 and for cleaning up foul pastures and fields they are invaluable. 

 The sheep is certainly a sound financial proposition to any farmer 

 or stockman and will always do its share at mortgage lifting. 



A great fault with many people is to rush into the purchase of 

 stock before they have provided any protection or fencing. It is 

 foolhardy and crude to expect sheep to thrive with only the lee side 



