Cross-breeding for Wool and Mutton Production 171 
three-quarter-bred ewes can easily be distinguished by 
their appearance and would need no marking. The first 
come-back may be marked by cutting a notch at the end 
of the right ear; the fine or second come-back with a notch 
in the left ear; and the offspring of the fine or second 
come-back with notches in both ears. If the sheep are 
marked by the lamber at birth there will be no danger of 
mistakes. It is a simple matter to herd all the sheep to- 
gether during the year and divide the band into two. or 
three bands during the breeding season, depending on 
whether the breeder wishes his mutton stock sired by a 
medium-wooled or a long-wooled ram. If he preferred the 
latter, then his pure-bred Merino ewes, half-bred ewes, and 
second come-back would all run in one breeding band with 
long-wooled rams; and his three-quarter-bred ewes and 
first come-back ewes, in another breeding band with pure- 
bred Merino rams. If he preferred the former, he would 
have to maintain a separate breeding flock for his fine 
come-back ewes, which would be mated with medium-wool 
rams. 
This system permits of as many steps in the process of 
cross-breeding as is possible and still produce the most 
profitable sheep for range conditions. The ewes of these 
five classes produce wool of a very high character and uni- 
form from year to year. The male lambs of the first four 
classes and the entire progeny of the fifth class sell satis- 
factorily as mutton lambs. In this way the band would 
be producing both wool and mutton of the very best type, 
and the greatest possible value would have been obtained 
from the original start of Merino ewes. 
