42 



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SHEEP 



THE common impression prevails that 

 any one can successfully raise and 

 breed sheep. No other animals on the 

 farm require less attention, or suffer less 

 from disease than do sheep. Like anj^thing 

 else, some practical experience is necessary 

 to be successful. It is suggested those in- 

 tending going into sheep raising should 

 begin with a limited number; watch their 

 habits and peculiarities and as your obser- 

 vations increase extend the flock. 



The one great drawback and most dis- 

 couraging feature to the flock master is 

 losses from dogs. Until such time as the 

 actions of this pest is controlled more or 

 less loss will be experienced. In some states 

 owners are authorized to shoot any dog seen 

 worrying sheep. The death of a dog, how- 

 ever, does not compensate the sheep owner 

 for five or six dead sheep. More protection 

 should be afforded sheep owners by placing 

 the burden of loss or damage on the dog 

 owner. 



Sickness in sheep is quickly recognized 

 by the experienced. Animal will lag behind, 

 its head lowered and ears lopped. 



GRAND CHAMPION SHROPSHIRE RAM 



International Exposition 1916 



THE SHROPSHIRE DOWN Variety of mutton sheep c-ime 

 frojn Shropshire, Emjlnnd. Similir, but Inrger than Suiitlidowii; 

 roms weigh 225 lbs., ewes 150 lbs. Of early maturing qualities, 

 exrellent mutton. Excel Southdowns as wool producers — bearing 

 6 to 10 lbs. medium length wool. Very popular breed in United 

 Slates. 



It might be asked what breed of sheep is 

 best adapted to the corn belt section? The 

 writer from experience believes the South- 

 down or Shropshires are perhaps the best 

 suited to the needs of the small farmer. 



A CHOICE COTSWOLD EWE 



THE COTSWOLD breed is noted for both mutton and irool. 

 Niitife of England. Large breed; rams weigh 250 lbs., ewes ooer 

 200 lbs. Wool 10 to H inches long and 6 to 10 lbs. ireight, a 

 popular breed in United Slates. 



Sheep suffer from only one malignant 

 infectious disease, known to the profession 

 as hemorrhagic septicaemia. Happily, out- 

 breaks are few and far between, and then 

 as a rule only in sheep shipped long journeys 

 and which pass through public stock yards. 



Symptoms are very few, if any are noticed. 

 The owner's attention is only directed to it 

 by the sudden d(\ath of the sheep, which 

 may show a frothy, bloody discharge from 

 the nostrils. 



If sheep are opened we see claret colored 

 spots on the internal organs. Close obser- 

 vation of the other sheep will reveal some 

 with the ears hanging down, instead of 

 being held at right angles. They may be 

 ajxirt l)y themselves, and breathing rapidlv- 



Treatment. In recent years there has 

 been developed a vaccine which proves 

 very efficacious in outbreaks of this disease 

 among cattle, and reports on its use in sheep 

 indicate it is of great value in controlling 

 and limiting losses in sheep. 



