SHEEP. 1009 



cape between and below the eyes, but leaving a clean margin 

 around the eyes, and terminating in an even edge, not strag- 

 gling in patches down the face, which should be covered with 

 white silken hair; hams broad, stout, and low, falling straight 

 from the tail; legs wide apart; capacious barrel; heavy brisket 

 and breast ; eyes bright and not hidden by wool ; lower jaw 

 wide. The ram, as a mark of vigor, should show powerful sper- 

 matic cords, and have the nose deeply fluted or grooved from 

 the corner of the eyes down. 



The breeders of the Delaine Merino insist on a white free 

 yolk, a three-inch staple, short, sharp hoofs. The hair which 

 crops out on the thigh of the Cotswold or on the fold of the 

 Merino (called kemp in the former, jar in the latter) is objec- 

 tionable, and ought to be carefully avoided in breeding animals. 

 It will not take dyes like wool. 



Cotswolds and Leicesters, maturing quickly, are less hardy 

 and long-lived than Merinos, though they are held to keep up 

 the wool-producing capacity better with advancing age. They 

 may bear lambs at two, or even at one (this is not desirable), 

 and should cease at five; Merinos may begin at three and cease 

 at seven. Very small flocks or exceptional ewes of either breed 

 may continue in service two or three years longer. Ram lambs 

 may, with caution, serve a dozen ewes ; yearlings, five times as 

 many; two-year-olds are capable of full service. Very fastidi- 

 ous breeders restrict a ram to three services a day, with some 

 hours between, and sixty or seventy -five for the season. A 

 very powerful Merino ram has been known to cover three hun- 

 dred ewes in a season ; but it is not advisable to let him go 

 beyond half that number. Only careless breeders, or those on 

 the great plains of the West, allow the ram unrestricted range 

 in the flock. 



There are several methods of regulating the service, of which 

 the best is as follows : Screw a bolt and ring into the front of 

 the left horn, and tie him up with a leather strap. Bring the 

 flock into the inclosure, and turn the rain loose. When he serves 

 a ewe, catch her with the sheep-hook and remove her to another 

 pen. if the ram resists interference he must be kept tied. The 



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