SELECTION OF BREEDING ANIMALS. 83 



to dwindle away from day to day until only a sorry remnant has 

 been left which has been finally absorbed into a flock of hardier 

 natives, or has disappeared altogether. Had these farmers judi- 

 ciously purchased male animals only, and used them, under 

 proper restrictions, for the improvement of their native sheep, 

 they would in time have possessed flocks which they could have 

 managed successfully and profitably, and have secured a perma- 

 nent type suited to their locality and circumstances. But the 

 improvement of a flock by breeding requires much patience and 

 perseverance, and a fixed idea of some result to be gained. In 

 breeding, good results rarely come by hap-hazard or accident. 

 There must be a distinct end in view, and there must be appropri- 

 ate and painstaking efforts made to reach that end. The breeder 

 must have a clear idea, not only of what he wants to gain, but of 

 what he wishes to get rid of, and he must know the character of 

 his flock intimately. One who knows all this can so accurately 

 describe the kind of ram he needs to improve his flock, that a 

 conscientious breeder from whom he may purchase the needed 

 animal, can choose him as well, if not better, than he can himself. 



In breeding to improve- a flock, the qualities of both parents 

 must be considered, remembering that the male exercises the 

 greater influence in determining the character of the offspring. A 

 pure-bred Cotswold ram, crossed upon a Merino ewe, for instance, 

 will produce an offspring that much more resembles himself than 

 it does the dam. This principle is well recognized amongst breed- 

 ers. Nevertheless, the very best of the females should be chosen, 

 and the faulty lambs culled out each year, until the finest only 

 remain. During this time it would be prudent for the farmer to 

 retain no males of his own breeding, but to secure by purchase or 

 hire from some capable professional breeder, such changes of 

 males as may be necessary. Much good may be done by unselfish 

 breeders in the way of letting pure-bred rams for a fair considera- 

 tion to neighboring farmers who may not have the means to 

 purchase one outright. By changing rams occasionally, two 

 farmers may very profitably help each other without expending a 

 dollar for the necessary new blood. 



The points sought for in rams, with which to improve a flock, 

 are those which directly add to the value of the sheep, or those 

 which are evidence of the possession of valuable qualities. Thus 

 the abundance of yolk, or the fineness of the wool, or its curl, or 

 the depth or form of carcass, upon which depends the quality and 

 the quantity of the fleece, are esteemed in the Merinos ; in the 

 Southdown, the small head and leg, and small bones, with the 



