GROWING AND FITTING SHEEP FOR EXHIBITION 273 



ments must, of course, follow and not precede a definite 

 mapping out of the show circuit. 



Every care should be observed in so making the en- 

 tries that no opportunity would be lost in competing for 

 a prize which there was any reasonable hope of winning. 

 The aim should be to have a number of bales of good 

 clover and alfalfa included in the food shipment, 

 as such food cannot be secured at all fairs. By another 

 method the hay is cut and carried in sacks. Cabbage 

 heads and field roots in liberal supply should be sacked, 

 especially the latter. The grain supply, mixed or un- 

 mixed, is carried in sacks, and it should include a supply 

 of wheat bran and oil cake, nor should salt be forgotten. 

 The tools called for include hammer, saw, nippers, shears 

 and a trocar. The medicines include blue vitriol and lin- 

 seed or castor oil. Blankets and bedding and washing 

 utensils for the shepherd are essential to complete the 

 outfit. 



A day or two before shipping, the food should be re- 

 duced. The reduction should apply to both grain and 

 roots. Heavy feeding of grain at such a time will dis- 

 turb the digestion. To feed large quantities of roots 

 would produce a too lax condition of the bowels. The 

 reduction thus made should continue while the sheep are 

 in transit. 



Sheep which carry a relatively large amount of flesh 

 should not be driven far when loading them for shipment 

 or unloading them on the fair grounds, and when driven 

 it should be leisurely. The journey should be made 

 morning or evening, and never in the heat of the day. 

 The necessary directions in the cars for rams and ewes, 

 also lambs, should be made beforehand, that each should 

 be thus afforded opportunity to take its proper food. 

 They should also be given water in such quantities as 

 they will take, but of this they will not take much when 

 thev are in transit. 



