6io 



The ram's fleece should be slightly stronger than that 

 of the ewe, and I do not dislike a little strength of wool 

 on the thigh, particularly if such strength is free from kemps. 

 In referring to the loose rolls of skin on the neck of a merino 

 ram the question as to the value of the Vermont naturally crops 

 up. The excessive folds of the skin seen on some Vermont 

 sheep arc to my mind objectionable in the farmer's flock. Indeed, 

 until lately I disliked the Vermont cross altogether, but the facts 

 are so much in their favor that I cannot shut my eyes to them. 

 The Vermont cross has done so much good by adding to the weight 

 of fleece of some very large flocks raised in Central Australia that 

 it is rapidly coming into favor with sheep breeders in all the colo- 

 nies, except Tasmania. In a dry, hot climate a dash of Vermont 

 blood in the sire will do good by thickening the wool, and by 

 giving it more yolk will preserve it from being withered by the sun 



SHOW RAMS. 



The sheep farmer should never purchase a ram that has been 

 " got up " for show. In newly settled districts there is 

 seldom much danger to be apprehended from show sheep 

 being pampered and coddled, but in older settled districts 

 much harm is done in this way. The training the show 

 sheep undergoes to lit him for taking a prize unfits him for 

 " rustling " on the pastures. When a housed and clothed ram is 

 turned out among the ewes and left on the grass for several months, 

 he looks a pitiable object. The beautifully line wool that won such 

 praises in the show-yard changes to a poorly grown fleece of 

 withered staple. The owner finds fault with the ram, \vhereas it is 

 he who is to blame. It is better to select the rams from a well- 

 known flock that possesses the qualities it is desired to impress on 

 the produce. They should be taken off the grass, though they may 

 not be as attractive as show prize-takers. 



Many sheep-breeders, and among them men of large experience, 

 habitually use two-tooth rams, and though they point to large 

 droppings of lambs and a high class of sheep, I clo not like the 

 practice. Using such an immature animal as a two-tooth ram 

 must, in the end, have a deleterious effect on the stock. Where 

 the climate is a hard one, it is much better to wait till the rams are 

 four-tool li before using them as sires. With longwools there is not 

 so much objection to the practice, as they are earlier maturing 

 animals than merinos, and they are raised on more abundant pasture 

 than is usually seen on country suitable only for the merinos. 



The small Hock-owner cannot breed his own rams that may 

 be taken for granted. How, then, is he to obtain them, and whence? 

 He may swap with a neighbour, provided his neighbour's stock are 

 suitable for his purpose. This is a thing that does not often happen, 

 and when it does the rams are getting on in years before his neigh- 

 bour wants to part with them. 



