FITTING SHEEP FOR SHOW RING AND MARKET. 53 



The Preparation of Sheep For Sale by Auction. 



The English custom of holding annual, or periodical sales 

 by auction of pedigreed sheep, although not much counte- 

 nanced, as yet, in this country, has, where tried, proved an 

 unqualified success. The writer can vouch for this much 

 in one case, however. 



The degree of success attending sales conducted by auc- 

 tion, whether it be an annual affair or merely a dispersion 

 sale, depends as does any other undertaking "on the men 

 behind the guns." Needless to say, anyone contemplating 

 holding a sale of this character should make full and untiring 

 preparation for the event. 



One of the principal factors dependent upon the success 

 of an auction sale is a really first-class live stock auctioneer; 

 one who has a reputation for this kind of work; in fact a 

 specialist in his line of business. There is very much in a 

 name when it pertains to matters relating to the pedigree 

 live stock business; and I can assure my readers that- it 

 makes a vast difference in the attendance at an auction sale 

 as to the name of the auctioneer found in conjunction with 

 the catalogue, or appended to the, announcement of the sale 

 in the leading stock journals. Breeders of repute employ 

 only first-class auctioneers, with reputations of undoubted 

 standing. 



All auction sales of sheep of any magnitude should be 

 largely advertised in the journals devoted exclusively to the 

 sheep industry, as well as the leading agricultural papers. 

 The exhibition of stock at the various shows and fairs helps 

 much in advertising good stock. 



In the preparation of a flock for public auction much work 



