6. Lambs should be marketed if possible when comparatively 

 light. Above 95 Ibs. is objectionable. 



7. Experiment I. indicates that a somewhat more rapid and a little 

 cheaper gains can be obtained from a preponderance of Shropshire as 

 compared with Lincoln blood. 



SELECTION OF THE FARM FLOCK 



GRADES FOR FOUND ATION 



Those who expect to follow Sheep Husbandry successfully must 

 have as much special knowledge and training as for any other business. 

 Sheep differ decidely in habits and temperament from all other animals, 

 and skill acquired with horses, cattle or hogs is not of much value as 

 applied to sheep. The first problem in successful Sheep Husbandry is 

 the selection of the flock. 



A great many farmers now have the laudable ambition to handle 

 pure-bred animals. If a beginner or having but limited experience 

 with sheep, it is wisest to select grade ewes for a foundation. A bunch 

 of good grade ewes can ordinarily be bought from the range very rea- 

 sonably. The use of a good ram, of one of the breeds that combines a 

 good fleece with a well developed mutton form, rapidly improves and 

 makes the flock uniform and entirely creditable for farm use. There is a 

 field also for the pure-bred farm flock. As the advantages of sheep on 

 the farm are more thoroughly understood and more widely appreciated 

 there will be calls for both pure-bred ewes and rams, at such prices as 

 will yield the producer a substantial profit. Success with a pure-bred 

 flock requires considerable outlay for foundation stock, some knowledge 

 of the principles of animal breeding and some skill in advertising and 

 disposing of surplus animals. 



Inferior ewes, such as can be obtained very cheaply and are weeded 

 out because of spoiled bags, broken mouths or infertility, should not 

 be chosen for any part of a breeding flock at any price. These should 

 pass along to the butcher. Unless ewe lambs are dropped in late winter 

 or very early spring and have made good growth they should not be 

 bred until yearlings. Ewes are at their best as producers at from three 

 to five years old. Many retain their breeding powers and their teeth 

 until eight to ten years of age. Some lose or break their teeth, pre- 

 venting proper mastication of food, at five or six years of age and 

 should be discarded from the flock. Five points to be especially sought 

 for in choosing ewes are, deep bodies, wide, level and straight backs, 

 strong legs, fine fleeces covering the body evenly and thoroughly and 

 feminine heads. 



