48 SELECTING SHEEP FOR AGRICULTURAL SHOWS. 



instance, before shearing, when one has a better opportunity of 

 judging of the quality and staple of the fleece ; and then, finally, 

 the selected ones should be carefully examined a month or so 

 after shearing, when, probably, some which had a pleasing 

 appearance, and looked well-developed, deep-grown sheep in the 

 wool, may strip somewhat ugly in feature, and prove leggy and 

 shallow. Of course, more ewes must be marked than are actually 

 wanted ; and it will also be well to look carefully through the dis- 

 carded ones, to see that no really good animal has been rejected. 

 The marking is easily done with a touch of paint, and each sheep 

 can be re-marked as soon as it is shorn. Appearance and 

 exemption from defects must not be the sole guide in selection ; 

 as ewes from well-known good breeders should always be 

 retained, unless there is some cogent reason to the contrary. 



The Breeder should spare no trouble in the selection of ewes 

 to add to the flock ; and the ultimate choice should receive con- 

 firmation by repeated observations, guided to a certain extent by 

 the individual breeding in each case. 



Even with all the care, thought, and knowledge, the Breeder 

 possesses of his own flock, he will, without a doubt, make several 

 mistakes ; hence the great importance of adopting any and every 

 means to ensure a right selection. 



FOOT ROT AND ITS PREVENTION. 



No flock can thrive where this is present ; and as, undoubtedly 

 it is contagious, it is wise to submit all bought sheep (which 

 should be few,) to a thorough disinfecting before being allowed 

 to mix wiih the general flock. Generally speaking, it may be said 

 that foot-rot is the outcome of laziness, and with due care it should 

 rarely be present to any large extent. 



The plan adopted by MR. DAVID BUTTAR, of Corston, Coupar 

 Angus, Forfar, N.B., for dealing with foot-rot, and strongly 

 recommended, is as follows : 



" Pass the whole flock, twice during the year, though a solution 

 of arsenic, which is thus prepared : Boil 2 Ib. of arsenic with 



