Dorsets as late as June and July will result, we think improbable. 

 Why? Because it is too hot then. Now most seeds require great 

 warmth to germinate; some, like the sweet pea, prefer cool condi- 

 tions, so we plant them early. The same reasoning applies to sheep. 

 Their natural time of mating is fall, October and November, cool 

 months. So if we want them to breed in the spring we should se- 

 lect cool periods. This seems a simple thing. Yes, it is. And 

 like many simple things is overlooked. When we started with Dor- 

 sets we were told and read they would breed any time of the year; 

 also, that June was the month to mate them for fall lambs. We 

 tried them in June for several seasons, but with partial success only. 

 This experience convinced us that while Dorsets will, in isolated 



YEARLING RAMS. 



-:ases, breed any time of the year, that for uniform and complete 

 success the "any time" must be a time when conditions are right. 

 We were now on the true track and realized that for spring breed- 

 ing we must select a time as near like the natural period of fall as 

 possible, and (equally important) have the ewes as near like their 

 natural fall condition as possible. To meet these desired conditions 

 we suggest the observance of the following : 



i st. Have the ram with ewes not earlier than middle of March, 

 not later than middle of May. 



2nd. Put ram with ewes nights, not days. 



3rd. Use young ram, and feed him well while in service. 



4th. Do not have ram too fat. 



5th. Do not have ewes too thin. 



