SELECTION AND MANAGEMENT 89 



our range of feeds is quite different from theirs. 

 With a right understanding of the matters and a 

 gradual adaptation of our farms to sheep growing, 

 and a habit of care once formed we can devote whole 

 farms to sheep as well as our British cousins, but 

 that is a work that must come with time and ex- 

 perience. 



At present, then, the farmer should start with a 

 small flock, letting it increase gradually, and trying 

 to grow in knowledge and experience as the flock 

 grows in size. 



Nor would it be wise or prudent to begin with a 

 flock of pure-bred ewes. A few pure-breds should 

 be purchased, say ten or twelve, the rest of the flock 

 may well be of grades. The ram should always be 

 pure-bred and of as good quality as can be secured. 

 He is half the flock, and if he is mated with grades 

 and is required to supply all their deficiencies he 

 has great need to be a good one. 



SELECTION OF THE RAM. 



Choose not an extra large ram, but one of medium 

 size for the breed selected. Size does not always go 

 with vigor or prepotency, or ability to transmit good 

 qualities. It is rare that the largest ram of a lot 

 has the most vigor or quality. Choose a ram that 

 has short legs (they go with early maturity), with 

 wide breast, avoiding the rams where "both legs 

 come out of the same hole in the body," choose the 

 one with well-sprung rib and a level, straight back, 

 looking of course for a good leg of mutton, which is 



