JUDGING BREEDING SHEEP 435 



with a minimum of condition. A thick, fat neck of the tes- 

 ticles is uually associated with fatty degeneration. A fat 

 purse also suggests sterility, and is a common char- 

 acteristic of non-breeding rams. The fleece of the ram 

 should be somewhat coarse or "strong," as expressed 

 by the wool man. A relatively fine fleece on the ram 

 may indicate deficiency of constitution or femininity. 

 The general conformation of the ram shows fullness and 

 boldness in front as a whole, with masculinity the predom- 

 inating feature. The sex character is also very manifest 

 in the temperament, many rams being combative and given 

 to a free use of the head in the attempt to master other 

 males in the flock. Merino rams are especially given to 

 butting, and frequently require special treatment to keep 

 them under control, such as blindfolding or placing in sep- 

 arate pens. 



The breeding capacity of the ram is of great importance. 

 He should possess the various necessary qualities of sex, 

 but, more, should have a strength of back and depth of 

 body that will be transmitted to all progeny intended for 

 breeding purposes. This quality is not easily determined 

 and, in fact, must be largely estimated. 



The size of the ram should depend upon breed and class. 

 Quality is very essential. Considerable size is popular with 

 many, but is not a necessity. One of the most noted 

 breeders in England informed the writer that the greatest 

 success in breeding in his flock had come from the smaller 

 rather than the larger rams. Hawkesworth gives prefer- 

 ence to a "big good one" over a "little good one," but con- 

 siders a ram of intermediate size will generally prove the 

 most satisfactory sire.' In judging, extremes in size may 

 be regarded with disfavor, other things being equal. A 

 large, coarse ram, however, is subject to more criticism 

 than is one somewhat under size, yet showing much quality. 



The form of the ram has already been referred to under 

 the heading of special sex characters. In general, the ram 



1 Australian Sheep and Wool, 1906, p. 135. 



