Establishing the Flock. 7 



where 38 lambs were shown. These lambs show 

 in a striking manner what great improvement can 

 be made by the use of a good sire on the most in- 

 ferior females. 



When selecting a breeding ram of a mutton 

 breed, one should know and bear in mind the 

 ideal of a well-built ram, possessing the right type, 

 so as to be able at once to distinguish the good ram 

 from the inferior one. The points of a good ram 

 are as follows : He should possess lots of vigor 

 and vitality, which is indicated by a short, broad 

 head, large nostrils, bold eyes, breadth on the poll 

 or top of the head, a short, thick neck, a wide and 

 deep chest, broad, level shoulders — smooth on top, 

 and a well-developed forearm. His forelegs should 

 be straight and short, and set well apart. He 

 should be broad and deep in the heart girth, which 

 insures good constitution. A broad, straight back, 

 with well-sprung ribs, is very essential. A smooth, 

 wide, and thick loin adds greatly to the value of a 

 sire. He should also have a long, level, and wide 

 rump, with a full, deep twist. His hind legs, like 

 his forelegs, should be short, straight, and wide 

 apart, and the flank should be thick and low, form- 

 ing a straight side line as well as a straight under- 

 line. The skin should be of a pink color, and the 

 fleece long, fine, and dense, depending, of course, 

 upon the particular breed to which he belongs. 



