64 FITTING SHEEP 



is an experienced practical shepherd young ewes are to be 

 preferred for various reasons. 



In purchasing a pedigreed ram or in fact any class of 

 sheep, individual merit should be studied first and pedigree 

 after. It should be understood that while pedigree is of the 

 utmost value, all pedigreed sheep are not animals of a high 

 order of merit. It is not advisable that the inexperienced 

 start out with a large flock. A small flock of sheep will, in 

 a great degree, take care of themselves, but where large 

 flocks are considered, unlimited skill and care must be be- 

 stowed on them or deterioration and perhaps disease will 

 soon be in evidence. A small flock of from twenty to thirty 

 head will give the novice no end of pleasure and as his 

 flock increases in size so will he gain in experience and 

 knowledge along the line of shepherding. In selecting 

 breeding ewes it is important that their udders or bags 

 be perfect. Although a ewe with a broken bag shows un- 

 mistakable evidence of being an extraordinary milker she 

 has had her day, for through the carelessness of the shep- 

 herd, either at lambing time or the weaning period she has 

 been ruined and should now be cast aside as a breeder, as 

 should also a - ewe with one-half of the udder hard and 

 fleshy. 



A ewe extra thick and masculine in neck usually proves a 

 poor breeder and an inferior milker. Don't select the 

 thick fat ewes out of a flock for breeders; they have either 

 failed to breed, or to have raised a lamb. A heavy milking 

 ewe is rarely fat when suckling a lamb. Don't allow the 

 idea of purchasing show ewes for breeding purpose to enter 

 your head, or the chances are you will meet with disap- 

 pointment. Don't be advised to purchase show sheep of 



