26 FARMERS' BULLETIN 929. 



attention can be given, such as these flocks receive, results from large 

 flocks are satisfactory, but such flocks are not to be recommended for 

 the general farmer, who has not the time to devote to giving them the 

 close attention required. 



While it is no doubt possible, under certain conditions, especially 

 at present prices, to make sheep in large flocks pay, it is more than 

 likely that the small flock consisting of from 20 to 50 head, depend- 

 ing upon housing space and available summer pasture kept in con- 

 junction with dairy cattle as a general farm proposition, is the most 

 desirable flock for New England. The figures given show that, with 

 but few exceptions, sheep are kept in practically no other way; the 

 experiences of growers lead to the same conclusion, and farmers 

 themselves are of the same opinion. 



QUESTIONS OF BREEDS AND BREEDING. 



Sheep of the middle- wooled " down " breeds are the most numerous 

 in New England, and of these the Shropshire and Hampshire are 

 probably the most common.' Dorsets and Cheviots are important in 

 some regions, and other breeds to a less extent. Traces of Merino 

 blood are also to be found in some flocks, especially among the older 

 flocks, whose owners were in the business when the production of 

 wool was the main reason for keeping sheep. Most of the flocks are 

 "grades," the better breeders keeping pure-bred rams and grading 

 up their flocks to some particular breed, while in a few flocks, whose 

 owners say they keep " just sheep," it is difficult to detect the marks 

 of any particular breed. 



As to the comparative merits of the different breeds * there is great 

 diversity of opinion. All agree that the " down " breeds are more 

 easily handled in regard to fencing, but it is claimed that some 

 of these breeds are less hardy and do not withstand the rigor- 

 ous New England climate as well as some other breeds. Any number 

 of instances are known, however, where the breeds condemned for 

 this reason are being kept with good success, so that something other 

 than the breed is evidently at fault with those who claim poor 

 success. The Cheviots, on the other hand, are noted for their hardi- 

 ness, and some prefer to cross in with the Cheviots in order to secure 

 this hardiness, while the same advantage is claimed for the Merinos 

 by those who still have that blood. Dorset crosses are kept where 

 early lambing qualities are desired. 



For a general farm proposition New England needs a dual-purpose 

 sheep that will produce a good heavy lamb in a reasonably short 

 time and grow a good fleece of wool in addition. The middle- wooled 



1 Fully discussed in Farmers' bulletin 570, to be obtained from the Department of Agri- 

 culture upon request. 



