726 DR. CHASE'S RECIPES. 



TV. Shearing.— Average "Weight of Fleece.— "The first shearing 

 the lot averaged a little less than 4 lbs. per head. I raised 24 lambs the first 

 season; I had the good fortune to raise from my pure-blooded ewe an extra 

 buck lamb, which was the foundation for great improvement of my flock for 

 those days. For the first few years the flock showed a greater improvement 

 per year than they have since they have been brought to a greater degree of 

 perfection. This, in fact, is my experience with crossing full bloods with 

 natives. It requires greater skill to improve really good sheep than it does 

 to improve an inferior grade. The second shearing showed an improvement 

 of nearly IJ^ lb. per head. In the course of 5 or 6 years the average of the 

 flock, numbering from 80 to 100, was a trifle over 6 lbs. per head. With 

 good luck in the selection of rams, in 10 years from the start, my flock aver- 

 aged 7 lbs. 



V. Drawbacks in the Business.—" Sheep business, like any other 

 business, has its drawbacks. The use of what I supposed to be a full-blooded 

 Spanish ram from Webster's flock of Vermont, set my flock backward on an 

 average for 2 years 3^ lb. per head. This is the only real set-back that I 

 ever have experienced. I soon recovered that loss, and have made steady 

 gain since. So I estimate my average this coming spring at 9 lbs. per head, 

 with the prospects of a little more. 



VI. Increase of Wool per Head by Using Blooded Rams.— 

 " I have thus far shown simply the increase of wool per head during this time 

 with the use of what we might call blooded rams, with the single exception 

 of one blooded ewe. Here occurred an incident which was curious in its effects, 

 and in after years proved to be an adulteration of blood. 



Vn. Danger of a Grade Buck upon a Blooded Ewe.—" My 

 eyes have been wide open ever since to prevent the repetition of the mishap. 

 The blooded ewe, which was pure gold in my eyes at the time, was, through 

 carelessness, mated with a grade buck, and her second lamb was a nice grade; 

 but the curious part of the affair was that that high and pure blooded ewe 

 never afterwards raised a pure blooded lamb from mating with the purest blood 

 I could find. Her breeding qualities were destroyed and her progeny was not 

 reliable. I kept the ewe till she died — 15 years of age. 



VIII. Buck, Selection of, Suitable for the Flock.— "In select- 

 ing a buck that is suitable for the flock lies the secret of success. If a man 

 has not the judgment for himself, he had better borrow it from some one 

 that has, until he is acquainted with the business sufficiently to prevent mis- 

 takes and set-backs. In choosing a ram for myself, I want a low, heavy 

 body, straight on the back, clear to the roots of the tail, broad and level 

 over the shoulders, deep and heavy in the brisket, thick neck with heavy 

 gullet; in short, constitution is the first strong point that will receive my 

 attention. I want the wool of medium length, smooth on the surface, the 

 thicker the better. The staple rather stiff and stubbed, with plenty of oil 

 distributed evenly from the roots to the end. I like heavy folds, but do not 



