1012 THE PEOPLE'S FARM AND STOCK CYCLOPEDIA. 



his progeny, and those qualities are desirable, he will promote 

 uniformity, jirid should be retained as long as possible. If two 

 or more are needed they should be worked by a system of 

 checks and balances. Employ each to fortify the points in 

 which the individual ewe is deficient. 



In-and-in-breeding, if in a flock of a hundred or more, and 

 regulated by a deep insight and a painstaking record of individ- 

 uals, is only moderately harmful by reducing the caliber of the 

 bone and impairing the constitution somewhat, and, indeed, the 

 eminent example of Bake well and Hammond has shown that it 

 is almost necessary to fix and perpetuate certain qualities; but 

 the ordinary breeder had better avoid it altogether. 



The question of the relative influence of the male and female 

 in determining certain characteristics, as form, constitution, size, 

 etc., is one which need concern the average flock-master very 

 little. The most eminent authorities are often diametrically 

 opposed. Constitution is of paramount importance in both 

 parents, and unless a sheep is of extraordinary excellence in 

 certain directions, not a single point ought to be sacrificed in 

 constitution if it is destined for a breeder. I have indicated the 

 most important features of good breeding animals in the various 

 kinds of sheep, and in addition I will only say, in reference to- 

 Merinos, that there are certain ultra-fashionable points which 

 had better be avoided by the farmer seeking to build up an. 

 average wool-bearing flock. Very yolky and wrinkly sheep lack 

 hardiness. In the sudden changes of the American climate the 

 wrinkles become chilled first, their nutrition is impaired, and 

 the wool frequently peels off them, leaving the animal ragged- 

 looking. Besides, the wool on wrinkles is wild and coarse. 



Whether lambs should come early or late depends on sev- 

 eral conditions as the breed, the size of the flock, the farmer's 

 situation, etc. The English breeds are presumably not kept in 

 large flocks, and they are good milkers and nurses anyhow; so 

 they may well be bred to drop their lambs in the winter, though 

 even with these I would not advise that lambing should be 

 brought on before the backbone of winter is broken, say Feb- 

 ruary 15th. With Merinos there are also certain circumstances 



