012 



There is considerable diversity of opinion among flock breeders 

 as to what is the best size of sire to employ. Some are all for size 

 of frame, while as many pin their faith to quality. Some of the 

 most successful stock breeders in England have obtained their best 

 results by means of moderately-sized sires. For myself, I do not 

 object to a ram if he is a trifle on the small side, and for this reason: 

 It is much more easy to obtain a ram on the small side, of excellent 

 proportions, than it is to get a perfectly shaped large ram. With 

 roomy ewes, the medium-sized well-shaped ram will throw better 

 stock than will a large-framed ram not so well shaped. 



The height a ram stands is not a proof of size, indeed, a tall 

 animal is often lighter than one that is short on the leg, but of 

 better proportions. All leggy stock should be avoided, no matter 

 what breed of our domestic animals are raised. 



There is a great variety of opinion as to the number of ewes 

 a ram should serve, and some of the greatest mistakes are made by 

 experienced sheep farmers on this point. When a verv large sum 

 is paid for a stud ram the new owner (with the view of recouping 

 himself for his expenditure) often puts the ram to far too large a 

 number of ewes. I have known such a ram serve several hundreds 

 of ewes in a year, ana to keep up his strength he was fed on the 

 most stimulating food. That he did not do himself justice as a sire 

 is not surprising. When cock fighting was practised it was found 

 that \vhere a game cock was allowed a dozen or fourteen hens, he 

 got fewer really good birds than when he was given four or live 

 hens. The late Mr. James W T hite was the most successful breeder 

 of racehorses in Australia, and he seldom gave a stallion more than 

 half a dozen mares. Panic (a great sire) was given as many mares 

 as were sent to him, and the result was that many of his stock 

 showed temper, though he himself had a tine disposition. If the 

 sheep farmer can afford to limit his rams to fifty ewes he will find 

 it pay him well in the end. 



Though I have recommended the use of pure rams it is not 

 necessary that the sheep farmer should pay a fancy price for his 

 sires. Utility, and not fancy points, are to be studied when the 

 farmer goes to market to purchase rams. 



THE EWES. 



CULLING. In a new country there is generally a strong inclina- 

 tion manifested to breed from every ewe in the flock, so as to 

 stock upas as quickly as possible ; but in this ca^e it is better to 

 make haste slowly. The ewes should be carefully gone through 

 bcldc shearing, and all inferior sheep rejected from the breeding 

 Hock. That man who goes through his ewes after shearing also, 

 makes assurance doubly sure. The Hock will not grow as rapidly 

 as that of the man who breeds from "all and sundry," but the 

 smaller Hock will often yield a higher profit than the lars^e one, while 

 individually the returns are generally in favor of the smaller flock. 



