Preparation of Sheep for Show 263 



this work is only secured by progressive breeding 

 and the purchase of superior animals. To insure 

 success, these factors must be further strengthened 

 by skill, taste, and judgment. 



Time of birth. — In beginning this work, it is ad- 

 visable to have a number of early lambs from which 

 to make a selection; though, on the other hand, it 

 is quite possible to have them dropped too early in 

 the season for the best results. When the lambs 

 have been weaned too early, they become coarse 

 and lose the fineness of fleece and the peculiar style 

 that is characteristic of lambs by the time they are 

 to be shown. For these reasons, judgment must be 

 used in respect to the age of the lamb selected for 

 training. It is not advisable to select early lambs 

 merely for their advantage in size, for this is usually 

 considered by judges to be secondary to quality. 



Large number needed. — Show sheep must be 

 matched; therefore, it is necessary to prepare a 

 larger number than is actually needed from which 

 to make the final choice. Twice as many should be 

 included in the first draft as are actually required, 

 and they should be treated alike. It is possible 

 that some may die; some become foundered or 

 perhaps grow coarse. 



Matching sheep. — In the selection of show sheep, 

 it should be borne in mind that it is necessary to 

 observe much care in matching them. The influence 

 of this is illustrated by the following experience ; 



