CHAPTER XX. 



SHOW SHEEP. 



Management of a Show Flock. The general principles in the 

 management of a show flock do not differ greatly from those adopted 

 in the case of any other well-managed flock, but greater care is 

 exercised in details. Show flocks are as a rule essentially breeding 

 flocks, as the expenses connected with exhibiting cannot be met 

 unless other portions of the flock are sold at an enhanced price 

 on account of the reputation made by those which have incurred 

 extra expense in their preparation for exhibition. Exhibiting 

 is, in fact, the most approved method of advertising the merits 

 of a flock. It is therefore largely in the matter of getting up 

 for exhibition that the difference between an ordinary well- 

 managed flock and a show flock exists. This is not entirely the case, 

 however, as the most valuable portion of the flock for sale and 

 exhibition consists of the rams. 



It is useless, of course, to attempt breeding for exhibition unless 

 good stock ewes and rams are kept. A change of blood has to be 

 introduced from time to time to maintain vigour and improve 

 the type ; this is most economically done through the rams, as, 

 though high-priced individually, they influence a large section 

 of the flock. The occasional purchase of a few ewes from a specially 

 good flock is desirable, as they are useful for mating with the 

 rams of the home flock. The selection of the ewes is an important 

 matter, as they are the permanent section of the flock, and are 

 representative of its type and capabilities. The breeder's watch- 

 word must be " Improve," and he must aim at a type, and breed 

 and select to that type. The rams must be purchased with that 

 view, and must be selected to supply deficiencies and alter the 

 character of features in accordance with the standard determined 

 upon. The soil has a great influence on the type, some kinds 

 of land tending to the production of coarseness, others to too 

 much fineness ; and the variation is often observable on farms 

 lying very near to one another. One farm is favourable to the 

 development of specially good rams, while another produces ewes 

 of great merit. Where the ewes run fine a stronger type of ram 

 is generally necessary, and where coarse a finer-bred ram. Where 



