SHEEP. 303 



which are objectionable for use even in the common, native flocks, and they should by no 

 means ever be used on thoroughbred ewes, as it would be the surest means of dete 

 riorating the flock. It is true that our ablest scientists and best and most practical 

 agriculturists maintain that &quot;a cross in the blood gives vigor to the stock,&quot; but it must be 

 borne in mind that these crosses are recommended to be made with the greatest care, and 

 with a pure-bred male, which, having been made, the continued use of a pure-bred animal 

 upon this cross-bred product is always advised, until the flock has been graded up so that it 

 very nearly approaches one or the other of the original types, neither of which may be 

 exactly suited to the wants of the breeder; if so, a fresh cross can again be resorted to until 

 the desired qualities are obtained. 



It is perhaps unnecessary to remark that the buck of any breed should not be used for 

 stock purposes until at least eighteen or twenty months old, and if he has reached the age 

 of two and a half years, so much the better; the most vigorous period being considered from 

 three to six years of age. 



He should be strong, healthy, and robust, with fine form and possessing all the desirable 

 points typical of his breed, and should also be as nearly perfect of his kind as possible. 

 Any carelessness or oversight with regard to the selection may make a vast difference with 

 respect to results, as the main dependence of the average farmer for the improvement of his 

 flocks is the ram. and the securing of an animal destined for so important a service as 

 controlling this improvement of the entire flock, considerable liberality in expenditure, and 

 care in selection, will prove the truest and best economy. 



Having secured a choice animal, he should be used judiciously and his services turned to 

 the best account, which cannot be successfully accomplished without proper management on the 

 part of the breeder. The best results can be secured by separating from the flock such ewes 

 as are ready for service, placing a limited number in a pen with the ram and removing them 

 as soon as served. &quot;When this cannot be conveniently done, he should be turned with a 

 limited number of ewes for a few hours each day, being confined by himself, out of sight 

 and sound of them, the remainder of the time. In such a case a little dry paint or powdered 

 red chalk mixed with oil rubbed upon the ram s breast will aid the farmer in drafting out 

 such ewes as have been served. Liberal feeding two or three weeks before and during the 

 coupling season will be found of great value to successful breeding. 



By such judicious management a vigorous buck can serve twice or thrice the number 

 and his powers be no more taxed than he otherwise would when running with a flock of from 

 thirty-five to forty ewes. He should be kept in a stable at night during this season and well 

 fed with grain. He should always be kept gentle by kind treatment and never allowed to be 

 teased or annoyed in any manner, as valuable animals may become cross and vicious, and a 

 source of annoyance on a farm ; when they become so they will be found most profitable to 

 be made mutton of as soon as possible. 



Selection of Ewes. The best of the ewes should always be selected, while the old 

 cr inferior ones should be yearly thinned out from the flocks for mutton. By selecting the 

 best ewe lambs every year to be kept for breeding purposes, and using, when the proper time 

 comes, a pure-blooded buck, a flock can, by such careful selection, soon be graded up, even 

 from the coarse &quot;scrub &quot; sheep, to an astonishing improved variety. Although it is not as 

 essential that the ewes should be pure-blooded as that the bucks should be, still the better and 

 more improved the ewes, the better the progeny. No ewe should bring forth her first lamb 

 younger than two years, and many breeders prefer, for some breeds, that the ewes be three 

 years of age, as the lambs will then be larger, more vigorous and strong, and the development 

 and constitutional vigor of the ewes not be as liable to be impaired. 



As a general rule, ewes should not breed after they are eight years old, although many 

 have fine lambs at even twelve or fourteen years, yet these are the exceptions, and the most 

 profitable results are attained from ewes that are considerable younger. 



