CHAPTER XVII. 

 FLOCK IMPROVEMENT. 



Prime lambs are now selling at such a satisfactor} 7 ' 

 price as to induce some farmers to dispose of their best 

 and keep their inferior ewe lambs to breed from or pass 

 on to another. Such a practice is near-sighted, and 

 cannot be too strongly condemned. It creates retro- 

 gression in flocks, lessened profits, and recoils upon the 

 sheep farmer himself in depreciating the profitableness 

 of the occupation, and in its ulterior effect of making 

 the land used for sheep farming of less value. Sheep 

 farming is considered the most interesting occupation 

 in Australasia, and the way to make it still more in- 

 teresting and profitable is for those engaged in it to 

 keep on improving the class of their sheep, which is a 

 fascinating and highly profitable study. A person who 

 has not some such desire with regard to his flock is 

 better out of the occupation, for he derives but poor 

 pleasure from it, unstable profits, and gives no moral 

 help to his fellow sheep farmers. 



Culling for disposal of the inferior members of the 

 breeding flock is the essence of remunerative sheep 

 farming, and unless the rule is methodically carried out 

 opportunities for gain are squandered in supplying feed 

 to wasteful stock to support the growth of poor wool, 

 deficient lambings, and inferior, slow-growing mutton. 

 It is only by watchfulness that the best of anything is 

 attained and maintained. The professional and the 

 business man know this. Jettisoning the dross is an 

 everyday practice. The vegetable garden and the agri- 

 culturist's field are economic institutions by virtue of 

 weed eradication, and the wide application of stud stock 



