Breeds of Sheep 21 



of wool has been carried on mainly in parts of coun- 

 tries where the conditions of raising sheep and the 

 marketing facilities were such as to center attention 

 chiefly upon the fleece. Consequently, the fine-wool 

 sheep, though raised in widely separated countries, 

 are represented by fewer varieties or breeds than the 

 coarser wools or sheep in which mutton is a more 

 important consideration. 



Habits of sheep. — The habits of the domesticated 

 sheep are as a rule traceable to similar traits in the 

 wild sheep. Perhaps the strongest instinct in both 

 is to seek the highest altitudes. From the time that 

 the lamb first supports itself on its awkward and un- 

 steady legs, its constant desire seems to be to attain 

 the higher eminences. When allowed egress from 

 their pens, the lambs are likely to congregate on the 

 highest knoll in the field, and contest supremacy for 

 the highest point. If a barrel is set in their pens 

 and boards arranged so as to run from it to the 

 ground, it affords the lambs evident enjoyment to 

 run up the board to the top of the barrel. The 

 aged sheep retain this trait of their lambhood. 

 In the evening when the flock is seeking a spot to 

 fold for the night, they are certain to choose the high- 

 est and driest portion of their pasture field. 



Another instinct invariably asserting itself is that 

 of following the leader. This, at times, is a source of 

 annoyance and anxiety to the shepherd, for no matter 

 where one sheep may go, the others are sure to at 



