CHAPTER XV. 



THE RAM. 



A good body, set on sound legs, and a strong neck 

 set well on the body, with a masculine head, free from 

 coarseness but suggestive of strength, may generally de- 

 scribe the look of a good ram. An all-round, vigorous 

 appearance, with a free, easy carriage, and a bright and 

 observant eye, are features that indicate sound health. 

 A good, uniform coat of wool, free from the presence of 

 hair or kemp, should be worn. Deep, broad chest de- 

 velopment, indicates robustness, and with the well- 

 sprung rib, are evidences that the vital organs are per- 

 forming their functions healthily, and entitle the a.nimal 

 to reproduce its race. 



A good ram will turn a second-rate lot of sheep into 

 a good Hock, and there is never any argument for 

 using an inferior one. It is quite impossible to expect 

 satisfactory lambs, wool or mutton, without using a good 

 ram, whether the ewes are good, bad, or indifferent. 

 The selection of a good ram is a vitally important point 

 in successful sheep farming, and if one has not confi- 

 dence himself in making the selection, he should entrust 

 it to some experienced person. 



Sheep, like other domesticated animals, are 

 liable to throw - back to the pre - domesticated 

 type in some point or other, and as the pre- 

 domesticated type of sheep did not boast of a valuable 

 commercial class of wool, care should be taken to select 

 rams with no hair or kemp in the fleece, otherwise the 

 objection will be transferred to the flock. The robuster 

 male is always more liable to show this hair or kemp. 



