Types and Market Classes of Live Stock 



277 



better excluded and the yolk thus becomes abundant, protecting the 

 fibers and preventing a cotted fleece. Her offspring, being heavily 

 wooled, is less subject to chills and colds which hinder rapid growth and 

 development. And lastly, the heavy fleece finds an appreciation on 

 the live-stock market. All along the line, therefore, from breeding 

 flock to packing house, the fleece with density, length of staple, and 

 quality meets with approval and increases the value of the animal it 

 covers. 



It is evident that it takes years to build up a flock of much uniform 

 merit and value. It is not a difficult matter to stock a farm with sheep, 

 but whether or not the undertaking will be successful depends very 

 largely upon the wisdom displayed in the culling of ewes, selection of 



Fig. 100. — A flock of uniform type. 



rams, and general management of the flock. In no other kind of live 

 stock does the individuality of the man in charge display itself so 

 strongly as with sheep. Sheep respond quickly to good care, and 

 deteriorate rapidly when neglected. 



Although some essential points in flock management have neces- 

 sarily been touched upon in discussing the elements that constitute a 

 good breeding ram and breeding ewe, nevertheless a detailed discussion 

 of sheep management cannot be presented here, as it would require 

 much space and is outside the range of the general subject in hand. 

 However, such important subjects as winter management and feeding 

 of ewes, feeding as a factor in getting ewes in lamb, dipping, manage- 



