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ing a ram of the proper form, and one that will most likely 

 produce the best results when mated with them. 



The ram should be well developed where the ewes are 

 most defective. If they are light and contracted in front, 

 he should have full, strong shoulders, and depth in the 

 brisket; if they are flat-ribbed and leggy, his ribs should 

 be well arched and his legs short; if they are naked under 

 the belly, flank and thighs, he should be well wooled on 

 those places. 



But, as mentioned above, this is an after consideration in 

 mutton sheep. It is not the largest carcass always that 

 dresses the greatest number of pounds of neat meat, or 

 that proves the most profitable to the breeder; on the con- 

 trary, medium- sized sheep are more desirable. They are, 

 as a general thing, more compact in form, not so coarse in 

 appearance, fatten more rapidly, and when brought to the 

 butcher will command a better average price than a ragged 

 and uneven lot of larger ones. There are times, however, 

 when it is advisable to use a large- framed and somewhat 

 coarse ram to breed from. Such a one, for instance, would 

 produce the best results crossed upon small and delicate 

 ewes. Such a cross would be apt to give size and constitu- 

 tion to the lambs, with, however, more or less the coarseness 

 of their sire; but this objection can be overcome by using 

 upon these young ewes a ram of finer finish than their sire. 

 Southdowns are deservedly the most popular sheep to breed 

 for mutton. They are round and compact in form, mature 

 early, and have the greatest tendency to take on fat. They 

 will dress as much, and probably more, neat meat, in pro- 

 portion to gross weight, than any other breed, hence they 

 command the best price from the butcher, either as lambs 

 or mutton. 



Much depends, however, upon the location of the breeder 

 as to what particular quality of sheep will pay him best. 

 In breeding a grade flock for mutton, it does not necessarily 

 follow that the fleece should be neglected. In some sections 



