582 



FARMER'S CYCLOPEDIA OF LIVE STOCK 



each daily — will put them in good gain- 

 ing condition. Where sheep are being 

 grown for mutton, twin lambs are very- 

 desirable, as it has been shown that ewes 

 can raise twin lambs without losing any 

 more flesh than in nursing a single lamb. 

 At the Wisconsin station, twin lambs 

 nursing one mother gained as rapidly as 

 when only one lamb was nursing. Un- 

 der average western conditions, however, 

 where sheep are raised in flocks of 2,000 

 or more, and less attention can be given 

 to each ewe and her lambs, one lamb 

 per ewe has been found more satisfac- 

 tory than twins, as the ewe will often 

 be satisfied if she has but one lamb with 



pure bred buck, one year old, will cost 

 from $20 to $30, and a show buck consid- 

 erably more. The general farmer, how- 

 ever, does not want a show buck, but 

 rather a strong, vigorous animal, strong- 

 ly bearing the stamp of the breed to 

 which he belongs. The breed markings 

 are indications of good blood, and they 

 should be unmistakably present. The 

 buck is fully half the flock. The shep- 

 herd depends upon him to build up and 

 improve the flock. The money spent in 

 a good buck soon repays itself. 



Selecting a buck— On the subject of 

 selecting a buck, Professor Curtis of 

 Iowa, states as follows: "In selecting 



Fig. 369 CHAMPION LEICESTER RAM AND EWE 



her, leaving the other to go hungry or 

 die for want of attention. 



The buck and his management — The 

 buck should be bought at least a month 

 or two before he is needed for breeding, 

 in order that he may become acquainted 

 with his surroundings, and be in good 

 condition for breeding. It is advisable 

 to get him early in the season when the 

 number to pick from is large. He 

 should be a full blooded buck. A grade 

 buck should never be used if a full 

 blooded buck can be obtained, as the 

 improvement in the flock with grade 

 bucks will be less pronounced or even 

 altogether wanting, since grade sheep 

 usually lack the power of getting off- 

 spring similar to themselves. A good 



a sire look urst at the head. If deficient 

 there, look no further, but reject at once. 

 Insist upon a head that faces you boldly 

 with a wide face, clear prominent eyes, 

 and a robust character throughout. The 

 head should be joined to a well filled 

 round, muscular neck, wide at the poll 

 and back of the ears, and gradually en- 

 larging in all lines with strong, full 

 junction at the shoulders, as seen from 

 top, sides, or bottom. This should be 

 accompanied by a wide chest, a promi- 

 nent, well filled brisket, and a full heart 

 girth, giving straight, even lines from 

 the shoulders back. A depression either 

 in front of, or behind the shoulders, 

 whether at the top, side, or bottom line, 

 is an indication of weakness. The back 



