176 Western Live-stock Management 



pearance she had earher in hfe. Because of this, the 

 flock of breeding ewes cannot have the fine appearance 

 of show sheep, a fact to bear in mind in buying founda- 

 tion stock. 



There are many good breeds from which selection can 

 be made. The best returns are from the standard breeds 

 for which there is a well-estabhshed market. Rams 

 are bought in large quantities, hence the larger the num- 

 ber on hand and the larger the number of breeders in 

 the neighborhood, the better the sales. Cotswolds, there- 

 fore, sell better in a Cotswold neighborhood and Shrop- 

 shires in a Shropshire neighborhood. The small breeder 

 should not attempt to introduce a new or unknown breed. 

 That is a business for the man with a thorough knowledge 

 of the sheep trade and strong financial backing. On the 

 other hand, temporary waves of popularity need not be 

 followed too closely. Such breeds as the Rambouillet, 

 Cotswold, Lincoln, Shropshire, and Hampshire are stand- 

 ard in spite of their temporary booms and depressions, and 

 a good, well-managed flock of any of these breeds is always 

 a practical business investment, and one of especial appeal 

 to the farmer who has developed a liking for sheep together 

 with a knowledge of their ways and who desires to devote 

 his entire time to the business. 



The ram. 



There is a saying that if a ram is a good one he is half 

 the flock, and if he is a poor one, he is all of it. This state- 

 ment may be somewhat overdrawn, but nevertheless it 

 does carry much truth. Improvement in a flock can be 

 brought about at less expense by the use of a good sire 

 than in any other way. The best ram is the cheapest one 

 in the end. The wise selection of a single ram has, in 



