60 FITTING SHEEP 



mal that was "monarch of all he surveyed" in those days, 

 we have an animal of the most beautiful conformation in 

 fact "a thing of beauty and. a joy," to the shepherd, at pres- 

 ent if not "forever." With the introduction of forage crops 

 into England rapid strides and advancements were 'made in 

 the science and art of feeding and breeding as applied to 

 sheep raising. By careful selection, and careful mating 

 very many most beautiful, and very symmetrically con- 

 formed animals and breeds have been evolved and estab- 

 lished. By generous feeding the average size and weight of 

 the respective breeds have been substantially increased, as 

 has also the weight and quality of the fleece. Then in most 

 cases the objectionable horns have been eliminated, and in 

 various other ways has improvement been brought about 

 in the animal that was once "Fed as God Almighty fed the 

 fowls of the air and the fish of the sea, upon what they 

 could pick up themselves of Nature's bounty, without the 

 labor or assistance of man." 



Another most valuable quality that care in selection, mat- 

 ing, feeding and breeding has brought about is that of 

 early maturity. It is not so very long since wethers were 

 kept until they had reached the age of two years, or even 

 more, before being marketed. Heavier sheep of superior 

 quality are now marketed under one year old. 



Since care has been the watchword of those td whom we 

 are indebted for the many beautiful breeds of sheep we 

 today have, it is clear it must be ours also if we wish to 

 avoid the deterioration and retrogression of our flocks. 



