CHAPTER XXI 

 ESTABLISHING A FLOCK AND IMPROVING IT 



In Chapter XXI the following phases of the subject 

 of which it treats are discussed: (i) Important considera- 

 tions when establishing a flock ; (2) Establishing a pure- 

 bred flock ; (3) Establishing a flock of grades ; (4) The 

 sires used in grade flocks; (5) The improvement of the 

 flock ; (6) Improvement through the sires ; (7) Improve- 

 ment through selection ; (8) Improvement through food ; 

 (9) When crossing is legitimate; (10) Breeding for single 

 or twin lambs; (u) Much should be left to the good 

 shepherd. 



Important considerations The most important con- 

 sideration when establishing a flock of sheep is that of 

 environment. Other things being equal, the measure of 

 the success in keeping sheep will be proportionate to the 

 completeness in adaptation of the environment to the 

 needs of the kind of sheep kept. Prominent among the 

 phases of environment are: (i) the nature of the land; 

 (2) the production of the same ; (3) the character of the 

 water supply; (4) the hazard from predatory animals; 

 and (5) the natural protection. 



The nature of the land, as to its contour and also to 

 its freedom from an excess of moisture, should be care- 

 fully considered. Level lands are relatively best adapted 

 to the heavy breeds, undulating or rolling lands to the 

 middle breeds and rugged and mountain lands to the light 

 breeds. This does not mean that the heavy breeds, as the 

 Lincoln and Cotswold, cannot be kept successfully on un- 

 dulating or rolling lands, nor does it mean that the middle 

 breeds, as the Shropshire, cannot be kept successfully on 

 level lands, but that highest adaptation is as outlined 

 above. The heavy breeds will be kept with much less 



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