MODERN SHEEP: BREEDS AND MANAGEMENT. 279 



ring. Of course, to avoid injury to their constitution, show sheep 

 must be reduced very slowly. Sheep that are reduced too rapidly 

 will lose their fleece, either in patches or entirely, especially if they 

 have been at any time near the overheating mark. Bloom must 

 be preserved as much as possible, but of course we must not ex- 

 pect as much bloom on the sheep that is being reduced as "that 

 found on one that is growing toward the show yard mark. Super- 

 fluous fat must be reduced more by exercise than by any great 

 decrease of rations. A good second growth clover pasture or a 

 rape field is a good place to reduce the condition of show-yard 

 veterans. The grain ration should be greatly but gradually re- 

 duced until it gets back to almost nothing. Ewes whose days of 

 usefulness for show-yard purposes are gone should be reduced as 

 rapidly as possible so as to allow their being mated at the same 

 time as the main breeding flock. 



BLANKETING. * 



Show sheep are blanketed for the double purpose of keeping 

 the sheep clean and for bringing the fleece into a compact, solid, 

 and attractive condition. Some shepherds may tell you in a 

 humorous vein that they are for keeping the flies off the sheep, 

 and others that their mission is to keep them warm, reasons of 

 course without foundation. While traveling on the cars show 

 sheep should be covered with rough blankets so that the show yard 

 blankets may be in the best possible condition for the show yard. 

 It is well to keep the exhibits blanketed until they have been passed 

 upon by the judges, as danger from mutilation by the fingers, 

 walking-sticks, and umbrellas of the casual show-yard visitor is 

 to an extent prevented. 



Blankets are usually made of burlap, ducking or something 

 of that kind. Ordinary bran sacks make a very serviceable blanket 

 for home use or for use on the cars. The accompanying illustra- 



