56 The Shepherds' Guide. 



mon ewes of the country, it would be unsafe to 

 breed from such a ram ; lest the descendants 

 should follow the maternal grandsire instead of the 

 sire J as we see frequently happens in coloured 

 sheep. A black ewe and a white ram may give 

 a white lamb ; but this lamb, with the same ram 

 may as likely give a black as a white lamb. Mr. 

 Xaysterie is decided on this point ; and quotes in 

 support of his own opinion, the opinions of many 

 of the best agriculturalists in Europe. 



Improvement in wool and carcase is every 

 breeder's object in selecting rams and ewes for 

 his flock : and with such views, size, shape and 

 wool, are generally attended to. There are but 

 few, however, who know to what minute particu- 

 lars, his attention should be directed, or in what 

 nice points a judicious selection may improve his 

 flock. Mr. Bakewell, of Dishley, carried this 

 matter so far, as to give to his animals almost any 

 point he chose ; to lighten the bone, to spread the 

 loin, to lessen the head and neck, to shorten the 

 horn, or to take it away ; to increase the quantity 

 of fat, and to place it where he pleased. We 

 know not as yet, to what degree of perfection, do- 

 mestic animals may be carried ; or that any limits 

 are set to variety and improvement in this way. 



In making a flock, therefore, of fine-wooUed 

 sheep ; it is not sufficient to take care in general 

 that the fleece of the ram is heavy and fine : it 

 should be a prime object that the wool should be 



