Chapter LVIII. 



HINTS ON SELECTION, CARE AND MANAGE- 

 MENT OF SHEEP. 



The selection of sheep more than any other race of domestic ani- 

 mals requires strict regard to the purpose for which they are desired. 

 In the chapters under Part Third we have tried to give an accurate de- 

 scription of each of the modern breeds, and have stated in brief the 

 peculiar conditions under which each breed will give best returns. With 

 these hints already before us, it is unnecessary to treat further of selec- 

 tion of breed than to say: Each party must first determine the purpose 

 for which he desires sheep whether for mutton or for wool, or for both 

 combined by a careful study of his market facilities, both as to rela- 

 tive demand and price for mutton and wool, and also as to relative ship- 

 ping charges in transporting either to market. Having once reached 

 a decision on above, and after carefully studying the characteristics of 

 the different breeds of sheep, and comparing the needs of each with the 

 conditions of climate, soil and food which obtain in his immediate lo- 

 cality, he is then ready to select the breed with something like an intelli- 

 gent judgment. 



The man who tries raising sheep because he thinks "sheep are not 

 worth much anyway, and if a few die it is no great loss," had best 

 obtain more sense before investing his dollars. There is nothing in the 

 live stock line which demands such close calculation, and such an inti- 

 mate knowledge of the business, as the breeding and handling of sheep. 

 It is a common saying that "the ram is half the flock," and it might be 

 stated with equal force that the shepherd is the other half. It is really of 

 great importance that the shepherd in charge of the flock be a man who 

 thoroughly understands his work, and such a man must be sought among 

 those who have "grown up in the sheep pen." To graduate in the 

 School of Experience requires many years, but the course, when com- 

 pleted, is of incalculable value. It is not every man that can have the 

 advantage of early boyhood training in this direction, but if a prac- 

 tical shepherd can be secured, he may still be able to handle sheep with 

 reasonable success. 



In selecting service rams, the breeder should aim to secure perfec- 

 tion in shape and fleece, rather than excess of weight. An unusually large 

 ram may produce some very large lambs, but he will also produce very 



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