100 SHEEP FARMING IN AMERICA 



uniformity of type and evidence of perfect health. 

 In buying any sheep look well to the skin, that it be 

 pink in color and the fleece bright and elastic, for 

 a pale skin and sunken fleece are sure indications 

 of lack of health and should invariably be rejected, 

 no matter how good the blood or breeding. The 

 grades that are to be made the body of the flock 

 may be of Merino foundation, with excellent ex- 

 pectation of success. If these are not to be found 

 near at home, they may often be bought of good 

 quality at the great markets when discarded by the 

 ranchmen. Usually ewes are sent to market be- 

 cause of their age and beginning lack of teeth, so 

 that it is not profitable to retain them for more than 

 two lamb crops on the farm. They will thrive for 

 that time and, having saved the best of their ewe 

 lambs, there is thus laid the foundation of a useful 

 grade flock, while the mothers may be fattened anc 1 

 sent back to market. These western ewes have in- 

 deed made good on eastern farms and in the South 

 as well. Having sufficient Merino blood to make 

 them hardy and shear well, coming free from para- 

 sites, they are all ready to make good profit for 

 their new owners. See to it that one does not get 

 old toothless ewes. Do not insist on getting those 

 with black faces. See that on their arrival on the 

 farm they are carefully dipped, to prevent outbreaks 

 of scab; so far as possible put them on fresh, 

 tminfected grass, so that they will not in their new 

 homes pick up internal parasites. Breed them to 

 good rams, sell all of the lambs, and after two or 



