SELECTION OF LAMBS FOB BREEDING. 43 



without, it will be very important to select the best lambs, both of 

 rams and ewes, for breeders. The selection should be made 

 chiefly in reference to the purposes for which the flock is kept, 

 and strength of constitution, rapidity of growth, size, tendency to 

 fat ; fineness, length or quality of wool, and prolificness and cer- 

 tainty of breeding, in the parents as well as, so far as can be 

 judged of, in the lambs themselves, should be made the tests by 

 which the selection is determined. If the production of early 

 lambs for market is the object, the produce of those ewes which 

 bring single lambs of large size and quick growth will be chosen 

 to increase the flock ; if the production of mutton sheep, then those 

 lambs from ewes which drop twins, and are good nurses, ought to 

 be kept ; and if wool of any particular kind is desired, then the 

 selection should be made chiefly in reference to that. On no ac- 

 count should weakly lambs, or those ewes which are poor nurses, 

 or fail to breed, or which exhibit tenderness of constitution, or are 

 wanderers, or of uneasy, restless dispositions, be retained ; but 

 such unprofitable animals should be closely weeded out and fat- 

 tened for sale or for slaughter. The choice of ram lambs is of 

 chief importance, for the influence of the ram runs through the 

 flock, while that of the ewe is confined to her produce alone. To 

 select a lamb for a stock ram is a matter requiring a knowledge of 

 the principles of breeding, and some tact and experience. The lat- 

 ter qualifications cannot be acquired from books, but must be 

 gained by practice ; nevertheless, much as to the selection of lambs 

 may be learned from a careful consideration of what will be found 

 in the succeeding chapter, which is specially devoted in part to 

 this important branch of the shepherd's knowledge. 



The proper age for breeding differs with the class of sheep bred. 

 The Merino is not mature enough for breeding until fully two or 

 three years old. Other breeds which mature more quickly are 

 ripe for breeding as yearlings, but there is nothing gained by suf- 

 fering any sheep less than a year old to reproduce. A young ram 

 in its second year may be allowed to serve a few ewes, if he is 

 vigorous and well grown. A ram at two years may serve 30 ewes 

 in a season, and after that from 50 to 60 or 70, according to the 

 manner hi which he is kept, and if he is restricted to no more than 

 one or two services of each ewe. The strength and vigor of the 

 lamb certainly depends on that of the ram by which it is sired, as 

 well as on the condition and character of the ewe. Ewe lambs of 

 less than a year old. should be kept in a separate flock by them- 

 selves where they may not be disturbed by the rams. The second 

 year they are capable of breeding, and if they have been well 



