228 ESTABLISHING THE COMMERCIAL FARM FLOCK 



he should select a ram with a compact fleece of good length, quality, 

 and weight, but if he plans to sell the whole lamb crop he can afford 

 to disregard fleece qualities. He can also afford to ignore breed type 

 in the ram to considerable extent. It would not be advisable to 

 select an individual so badly " off type " that he does not show to 

 what breed he belongs. There is often an opportunity, however, to 

 buy a ram of excellent conformation but deficient in some of the 

 " fancy " points of the breed and such an animal would no doubt 

 beget first-class offspring for market purposes. If the ewe lambs 

 are saved for breeding purposes it is desirable that the successive 

 rams be of the same breed so that a uniform flock may be secured. 



FIG. 155. Range Hampshire rams. These rams are pure-breds, uniform in type and 

 thrifty and hence are highly satisfactory for range or any other breeding for market purposes. 



It is well to select the ewes before choosing the ram to mate 

 with them. If they are inclined to excessive length of neck and 

 legs, particular emphasis should be placed on short legs and neck in 

 the ram. Whatever the general defect in the ewe flock, an attempt 

 should be made through the ram to correct this fault in the off- 

 spring. But in so doing, it is not advisable to use a ram with any 

 pronounced defect merely because he happens to be strong where 

 the ewes are weak. Remember 'that the lambs may inherit the 

 defects of both parents, hence the necessity of using a sire well 

 developed in all his parts. 



Selecting Ewes for Range Flocks. In selecting ewes for range 

 flocks about the same rules apply as in the selection for the farm 

 flock. If the range flocks are to be handled by herders on un- 

 enclosed land it is necessary that the sheep have enough Merino 



