MODERN SHEEP I BREEDS AND MANAGEMENT. 



273 



yard condition that succulent rations in plenty and variety and a 

 sparse grain ration, by way of luxury principally, is the proper 

 thing. Grain is too heating for a very fat, ripe animal during 

 such weather as prevails through our summer shows, and only a 

 very little is necessary to hold it up to concert pitch under such 

 conditions. Succulent rations have a cooling and purifying effect 

 on the blood of the ripe animal and tend to ward off that condition 

 known as "blubbery and brokendown." 



To properly feed and fit sheep for exhibition requires consid- 

 erable skill. Where indifferent methods of fitting are employed 

 not only are the animals' chances of victory poor, but their repro- 

 ductive organs are liable to suffer in consequence. When feeding 

 for exhibition the shepherd feeds, besides concentrated foods, such 



A Reminiscence of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition Showyard. Photo by "Shepherd 



Boy." 



as grain, oilmeal, etc., the most succulent, appetitizing, nutritious 

 and cooling rations, such as cabbage, rape, kale, turnips, vetches, 

 etc., and these with the utmost regularity. After the preliminary, 

 or outdoor fitting, the showyard candidates are housed during the 

 heat of the day and allowed out in the yard or paddock only during 

 the early hours of the morning and in the evening chiefly for 

 exercise. Some little time previous to starting for the shows they 

 are "blocked out" and "trimmed." That is, they are shaped and 

 smoothed with the shears until they are symmetrical, smooth and 

 very pleasing to the eye. After "blocking" and "trimming" they 

 are blanketed, with the two-fold purpose of keeping the fleece 

 clean and making it compact and smooth. Some shepherds color 

 their sheep, but this fashion has become somewhat antiquated. 



