306 SHEfeP FARMING IN AMERICA. 



At all times there should be this thought, 

 "Has there been opportunity during the past 

 year for any sheep to drop germs with her 

 dung upon this land ? " If the answer is ' ' yes, ' ' 

 then do not permit the lambs and yearlings of 

 the clean flock to graze upon that ground for 

 an instant. 



The extra cost of this method of producing a 

 perfectly healthy ewe flock is almost nothing. 

 A trifle of care, a constant thoughtfulness, a few 

 hours labor and the result, a banishment of 

 the torments that render 60 per cent of farm 

 flocks in the corn-belt diseased and compara- 

 tively unprofitable. 



And having a healthy flock, absolutely with- 

 out parasites, they will remain so if the germs 

 are not brought in by something added to the 

 flock. It is barely possible that rabbits may 

 carry some of the same parasites that afflict 

 sheep, as also do goats and deer. Aside from 

 them there are no other carriers of these germs 

 so far as we know. Unfortunately we must 

 purchase rams or else practice inbreeding. The 

 writer is inclined to think that with strong, 

 well bred, vigorous stock once secured it is 

 wiser to inbreed for a time rather than to risk 

 purchasing a new starter of germs with an 

 uncertain ram. However, the ram himself may 

 be put in quarantine on his arrival, permitted 

 to associate with the flock only when he can be 

 of use to it and at all other times have his own 

 quarters, a grassy paddock with shed attached. 



Thus, without giving a dose of medicine or 

 applying to the soil any lime, salt, corrosive 



