DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



The larger long-wool breeds have been developed on rich bottom lands that 

 produce abundant feed. They are therefore suited to similar conditions on moist, 

 fertile lowlands. The smaller breeds, such as the Southdown and Cheviot, have 

 always been accustomed in their native British home to the scantier feed of the 

 hills or downs. There seems to be some connection between the higher quality of 

 wool and mutton in the smaller breeds and the scanty but nutritious vegetation on 

 which they have been developed. It is well known that the mountain breeds are 

 smaller, hardier, and more active than the lowland breeds. We cannot expect to 

 breed good sheep "of the larger long-wool breeds on elevated and broken, scant 

 pastures. The effect of climate has to be considered. For instance, in the Interior 

 the smaller, close-woolled Down breeds will stand the winter's cold and snow on their 

 backs better than the larger, open-fleeced sheep. On the other hand, it is related 

 that the fine-woolled Merinos were a failure in the wet climate of the Willamette 

 Valley, Oregon. The long-continued drizzle made the hay and weed seeds on their 

 backs sprout and become green, whereas the fleece of the long-woolled breeds acted 

 as a thatch, carrying the water off. This valley is now famous for its Lincolns. 

 The larger long-woolled breeds, including the Lincoln, Cotswold, Leicester, and 

 Roinney Marsh, are suited to Coast conditions. 



If a large band of sheep are to be under range conditions a certain amount of 

 Merino blood is desirable, as these sheep are the easiest to herd. 



If winter or " hothouse " lambs are to be produced, to be born in the fall or 

 early winter, it will be necessary to choose a breed which can be counted on to lamb 

 early. The Dorset, Merino, and Tunis breeds are most used for this purpose. 



COMMUNITY BREEDING. 



There are advantages in choosing a breed favoured by the majority. You can 

 buy stock near home from a flock you know is successful. You will also find a good 

 market for any stock you wish to sell. It is a great attraction for buyers when a 

 district becomes famous for one particular breed. There is more competition in the 

 show-ring and field if others keep the same breed. Hence there is more stimulus to 

 raise the standard of your flock. Good rams are procured more easily and cheaply. 

 The above are some of the advantages of what is termed " community breeding." 



The flockmaster's personal preference for a certain breed counts, however. He 

 is more likely to make a success of the breed in which he is most interested. 



In England the various breeds are segregated into the different districts in which 

 the breeds have been developed and for which they have proved especially adapted. 

 No better examples of real community breeding could be found, and the degree of 

 perfection and uniformity of most of these Old Country flocks is surely the direct 

 result of community breeding. 



BREEDS OF SHEEP. 



All domestic sheep on this continent originated from importations from European 

 countries. It is to Great Britain that we owe most of our present breeds, all having 

 their origin in that small country, with the exception of the Merino, Rambouillet, 

 Tunis, and Karakule. The above-mentioned breeds, with the exception of the Tunis, 

 are horned, as also are the Dorset Horn and Black-faced Highland breeds. All the 

 other breeds dealt with are hornless in both sexes, although they came originally 

 from horned stock. 



