r S KEEP AND GOATS 81 



Very little capital is needed to start a flock of sheep. They need not 

 be housed in expensive buildings. Nature has fitted them to endure cold 

 weather. A small flock requires very little labor, especially during the 

 busy summer. These advantages, along with the fact that sheep destroy 

 weeds, thereby helping to beautify the farm, make the sheep a valuable 

 asset to the American farmer. These advantages are not mentioned with 

 the view of urging the farmer to give up other classes of farm animals, 

 but to remind him of the advantage of supplementing his stock with a 

 small flock of, say, forty ewes or even less. 



Essentials to Success. One should choose the breed best adapted 

 to local conditions, especially the climate and market. There is no best 

 breed for all conditions. It is best that a man gain his experience with 

 grade stuff. One may purchase either Merino or mutton breeds and then 

 grade them up by using a pure-bred ram. The latter is of great importance. 

 A ram having a good pedigree and good individuality should be selected. 

 He should be purchased from a reliable breeder and the stockman should 

 not hesitate to pay a good price for a desirable ram. The ram should 

 possess good breed type and be masculine. An effeminate ram should 

 have no place in a flock. Masculinity is indicated by a short, broad head, 

 large, broad nostrils, ruggedness in appearance and a lack of too great 

 refinement throughout. Rams should have a good conformation, and 

 those which have been very highly fitted should be avoided, as they often 

 prove non-breeders. There are only a few instances where it would be 

 permissible to use a ram lamb to head the flock. This is done more often 

 in the case of the Hampshire breed than others. Older rams usually make 

 the best breeders. A ram of the middle-wool breeds is sufficiently devel- 

 oped and fit for service at the age of 1J/2 years. 



Only ewes that are sound in their mouths and udders, and that possess 

 feminine characteristics and good general conformation should be pur- 

 chased. It must be remembered that the ewes are half the flock. 



One should not make the mistake, after establishing a flock, of allow- 

 ing the sheep to care for themselves. Suitable but inexpensive shelter 

 and plenty of forage should be provided and plenty of salt and water 

 should be kept before them. It is necessary to be on the lookout for 

 internal parasites, especially in lambs, during the summer months. 



The Breeding Season. The breeding season of the year in this 

 country commences in September or just as soon as the cool nights begin. 

 The heat periods of the ewes last from one to two days and normally 

 appear at intervals of 16 days. The Dorset Horn and Tunis will breed 

 at any time. 



Period of Gestation. The usual period is 146 days. Ewes, however, 

 are very irregular about bringing forth their young. Shepherds in the 

 old country figure on 140 days. The period of gestation is often longer 

 for Rambouillets than for other breeds. 



Care of Ram During Breeding Season. Not more than 40 ewes should 



