SELECTING RAMS. IIQ 



udders, &c. The careful breeder will, however, look further. 

 He takes the opportunity to weed out even younger ewes of 

 defective feature, fleece, and form. He will not tolerate a 

 weak neck, a mean head, a watery or loose fleece, flat ribs, 

 drooping quarters, and shabby legs of mutton. So far as he 

 can he weeds out such animals, and in a word he " raises his 

 standard," and goes up another notch. It is here that genius 

 shows itself, and it is at this point that the merits of each 

 animal are discussed with the shepherd, who is as alive to 

 the importance of selection as his master. 



Similarly the young ewes about to enter the flock are can- 

 vassed over with the result already mentioned, that the flock 

 loses its tail, and gets on a better head. This is the very 

 essence of improvement, and the higher the flock rises in public 

 estimation the more difficult is the achievement of further ex- 

 cellence. 



It must, however, be remembered and who is likely to 

 forget ? that the male, as well as the female element, is of 

 first importance. We are, therefore, in the next place con- 

 fronted with the difficult task of 



SELECTING RAMS. 



Every year we hear of high prices given for rams, and it 

 is not uncommon to read of 100 guineas being paid for the 

 hire of a sheep for a few weeks. Such sums would appear 

 small to an Australian flock-master, who would probably be 

 able to cite cases in which hundreds of guineas had been given 

 for a sheep. The prices paid are the best indication of the 

 estimate placed by breeders upon first-rate sires. Here is 

 the other arm of the service : a good and improving flock of 

 ewes mated with rams likely to still further correct their 

 weaknesses and produce ewe lambs which will again add to 

 the reputation of the flock. 



Rams must be bought with the strictest eye to personal 

 merit. Success does not depend upon giving long prices, 



