8 PURE-BRED SHEEP. 



Some breeders prefer to sell by private treaty, whilst others prefer 

 to have annual sales. Whether the foundation sheep are bought 

 by private treaty or at the public sales, the right sort must be 

 selected, even if an apparently high price has to be paid. We 

 say " apparently," because the best specimens of a breed rarely 

 prove to be dear in the long run, whilst second-rate ewes are not 

 cheap at any price, and are a constant source of disappointment 

 and loss. High individual merit, soundness of constitution, and a 

 thrifty condition in the sheep purchased are points of great 

 importance. Where the pluck and means to buy the best are 

 absent, the idea of establishing a flock of pure-bred sheep should 

 not be entertained, as disappointment would assuredly result. 



EAR MARKING. 



Every ewe in the flock should have a destinctive number from 

 I up to 100, 200 or 500, as the case might be, and her pedigree 

 should be clearly written in a Private Flock Book, in which her 

 subsequent mating and breeding can be entered. 



The following extract from the Preface to the Private Flock 

 Book issued by Messrs. Alfred Mansell & Co., (Post free 135.,) 

 a book on which much thought has been given and which is 

 strongly recommended to all flock owners, describes the various 

 methods of ear marking in vogue : 



" The system of ' notching ' the ears is a very old and universal 

 "one. Small notches are cut out of the ear by means of a fine 

 " pointed nipper, of which the following is an engraving : 



