220 ESTABLISHING THE COMMERCIAL FARM FLOCK 



modestly in order to educate himself through observing the per- 

 formance of particular individuals. Should he begin w^ith only a 

 few he should plan ultimately to have a flock of sufficient size to 

 make it well worth his while to give it adequate care. When the 

 flock is very small, the temptation to neglect it for larger interests 

 is strong when labor is costly or scarce. 



Where Ewes for the Farm Flock May Be Secured. — There 

 are two main sources from which to draw ewes for the farm flock. 



Fig. 147. — Fancy selected native breeding ewes, showing uniformity in breeding. (Illinois 



Station Bulletin 129.) 



First, they may be secured locally in almost every part of the country 

 where farm flocks are kept. Second, they may be purchased during 

 the summer and early autumn months on the large livestock markets 

 where both native and western ewes are sold as foundation stock 

 for farm flocks (Figs. 147 and 148). 



Selecting Ewes for the Farm Flock. — One of the first consid- 

 erations in selecting ewes for the breeding flock is uniformity. 

 They should be as nearly alike as possible in breeding and size, 

 because uniformity in these particulars is necessary if a uniform 

 lot of lamljs is to be secured. When the owner has a uniformly 



