FOUNDATION OF FLOCK. 7 



to, to secure the names of these breeders, which no doubt the 

 secretaries of the various societies would readily furnish. 



Armed with the names and addresses required, we would 

 recommend a careful look through each flock ; and if not qualified 

 to form an opinion as to their respective merits, the services of 

 an expert whose judgment and integrity may be relied upon, 

 should be secured. Having thus decided which flocks on the 

 whole exhibit the best characteristics of the breed, and are un- 

 doubtedly old established and well-bred, we would suggest the 

 following course as the one most likely to prove successful. 



Instead of buying 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, or 50 ewes from several 

 breeders, and so getting together a homogeneous lot with 

 different character, type, and breeding, we strongly advise 

 selecting the whole from one, two, or three breeders at the most, 

 or where the flock is limited to 80 or loo, two breeders ought to 

 supply the lot ; but of course in cases where big flocks are 

 established more breeders must be resorted to. It will, however, 

 be sound policy to begin with a small flock of undeniable breeding 

 and merit, rather than with a larger one of inferior animals. 



The great object should be to procure an uniform, even- 

 matching lot of ewes and by the constant use of sires calculated 

 to rectify and improve the imperfection of the ewes, a high 

 standard of excellence will result. 



By founding a flock with judicious selections from the best 

 breeders the greatest point is achieved, viz., a sure and certain 

 basis upon which to build up a flock of the highest class. Many 

 breeders have never been able to eliminate the results of a bad 

 start with the ewe foundation, despite the fact that they have 

 used high-class rams for many years. The bad points that existed 

 in the ewes have appeared again and again ; one generation will 

 be free from them, and still they may reappear with vexatious 

 persistence the next. Too much importance cannot be attached 

 to making a correct start. 



Probably the reader may say " sound advice," but how is it to 

 be done ? Will breeders sell selected sheep at a reasonable price 

 by private treaty, or is it necessary to attend their annual sales ? 



