410 HOW TO MAKE THE FARM PAY. 



also covering the scrotum of the ram. Exceeding fineness of wool 

 is not desirable in the American market, The wool should be 

 " true," that is the same size from root to point. The cuts of 

 the different breeds in this chapter give a good idea of their 

 points. 



Breeding should always be accompanied by a purpose to 

 improve the flock, and all ewes of inferior form or fleece, 

 having any serious defect in constitution or habit, should be 

 " culled" and sent to the butcher. The owner should keep a 

 constant watch of his flock, and if large, select the ewes with 

 reference to the rams to which they are to be bred. We surmise 

 that no breeder will allow the ram to run indiscriminately with 

 the flock at or near coupling time. If there is a difference in 

 the size of the rams, select the ewes with reference to the size, 

 not breeding a small ewe to a large ram. When you get a 

 good ram, a sure lamb-getter, who stamps his good qualities on 

 his stock, keep him and breed in and in, until you have a whole 

 flock with his good qualities. There is no danger from breeding 

 in and in, if the ram is perfectly sound, but if any defects begin 

 to appear in his get, change him at once, and stamp out the 

 defect by disposing of all that have it, no matter how good they 

 may otherwise be. " Keep none hut the hest^ That motto is the 

 sheet anchor of sheep husbandry. It costs something to be 

 served by a full blooded ram, but the profits are sure. A flock 

 of a hundred common ewes worth four hundred dollars, served 

 by a common ram worth, perhaps, ten dollars, will bring an 

 equal flock, but worth no more than their dams. But serve 

 this same flock with, a full blooded ram worth one hundred 

 dollars, and every lamb at six months old will be worth at 

 least one dollar more, and at every shearing their fleece 

 will be worth more; every lamb they drop will be worth 



