Sheep Breeders' Association. 359 



received much attention, and that is the reason we are behind in 

 the breeding of sheep. England has been breeding up for centu- 

 ries. 



Of course, pedigree is not to be considered of greater im- 

 portance than individual merit, but from experience in breeding 

 we find that pedigree is very important in the sheep. Take the 

 English sheep brought to this country, and they will breed for 

 seven or eight generations, so that the lambs are of a uniform, 

 high class type. Sheep in this country, although registered, may 

 be bred only for one or two generations of the really high class 

 type, and when bred longer, the unsuitable characteristics of their 

 ancestors will be in evidence sooner or later, and even the people 

 in the west want the best class of animals, and they must be of 

 uniform type. The market calls for more uniform type than ever 

 before. In the purebreds and grades we must pay more attention 

 to type. Of course all the advancement that has been made in 

 our grade sheep, I believe is due to the introduction of pure blood ; 

 and the greatest advancement in pure breds has been from the in-, 

 troduction of English blood. Therefore, those breeders who have 

 at heart the welfare of the industry, and who, apart from making 

 a profiit for themselves, want to help advance the industry in this 

 country, will do well to ship sheep from England, and then sell 

 their produce to breeders of this country who do not feel that they 

 can pay the price, or who have not the experience that makes them 

 feel that they can start in the business; and the breeders here 

 today, who will work together and help each other, both in the 

 production of mutton and wool, in the grade and in the purebred 

 business, will accomplish a great deal more than if they work by 

 themselves. 



SELECTION OF A FOUNDATION FLOCK. 



(By Donald A. Green, Oakland, 111.) 



Before attempting to become breeders of purebred stock we 

 should consider se^'eral things: Are we to become breeders or 

 just multipliers? If the latter, we have already far too many and 

 not enough of the first mentioned. Are we capable of becoming 

 successful breeders? Have we the instinct to select and mate suc- 

 cessfully? With some this instinct is acquired by experience with 

 stud, flock or herd, with others it is born in them. 



In selecting the foundation flock, we must be very, very care- 



