SELECTING SHEEP FOR AQRICUL 

 TURAL SHOWS. 



At the end of October, or early in November, some 10 or 12 

 ram lambs, and about the same number of ewe lambs (if re- 

 quired,) should be selected, with a view of giving them a little 

 more care and attention than the rest, for exhibition purposes. 

 This requires a great amount of care and discrimination on the 

 part of the breeder. In the first place, we would recommend that 

 double the required number be drawn out, the lambs from ewes 

 which have previously bred exceptionally well, being specially 

 noted. After this they must all undergo a careful scrutiny, and 

 all that have defects which would bar their winning, must be 

 discarded at once, as it would only be time and trouble thrown 

 away to prepare and feed for show an animal that could not be 

 successful. What is a defect which cannot be passed over in a 

 show ring must be left to the judgment of the breeder; but it is 

 quite clear to any observant person that many breeders never 

 exhibit their best sheep. They either do not take the care in 

 selecting that they should do; or, what perhaps is very probable, 

 they delegate the same to the bailiff or shepherd. 



The young sheep intended for exhibition should be allowed to 

 run out daily until about March, on an old turf for preference, and 

 at night should be housed. But should the winter prove very 

 mild they are really better not housed at all until March. They 

 should also receive a liberal allowance of such succulent food as 

 the farm will allow, such as turnips, kale, cabbage ; Ib. to I Ib. 

 of artificial food, consisting of crushed oats, best linseed cake, 

 and bran, and as much good clover-hay as they will consume, 

 Neither beans, peas, lentils, or any other highly nitrogenous food 



