44 SELECTING SHEEP FOR AGRICULTURAL SHOWS. 



room as possible on land which has not been fed with sheep ; 

 housing- them at night, and supplying them with green food, and 

 about Ib. of linseed cake, oats, and bran, mixed, (no beans or 

 peas). As the year advances, house in the heat and glare of 

 the day, and allow them recourse to a field for a few hours in 

 the evening. As the show-time approaches, it may, perhaps, be 

 advisable to trough feed entirely, and only allow them out for 

 the sake of exercise ; as they are apt to fall away when from 

 home, if not so treated, and unaccustomed to confinement. 

 Attention should, from time to time, be given to the lambs' feet ; 

 for should foot-rot ensue, they rapidly lose both flesh and bloom. 



BEFORE THE SHOW. 



Having brought the sheep of the respective classes as near to 

 perfection as possible, as regards growth and condition, much 

 will still depend upon the way in which they are placed before 

 the judges ; and here the skilful master, bailiff, or shepherd, has 

 the advantage of the tyro. Every care should be taken in 

 matching the ewes and lambs for each pen. A prize is often 

 thrown away by putting together animals of different sizes and 

 types ; and in the case of rams, those which handle well and are 

 in the pink of condition, may perhaps run a better race than much 

 superior animals not so forward. 



Again, it would be bad policy to send the best animals away 

 from home the week or so preceding the Royal or other important 

 meetings, where the breed musters in great numbers and the 

 prizes are more valued. Such a step would be placing the sheep 

 at a disadvantage, as they would undoubtedly lose much of their 

 bloom. 



ADVICE AS TO SELECTION. 



If the exhibitor feels convinced he cannot show to win, he 

 should not select the biggest to represent him, but rather those 

 which are the truest to character and type, and likely to attract 

 the attention of breeders ; because, by so doing, he will probably 

 ensure their attendance at his sale, with perhaps more re- 



