Farm Sheep 173 
very small expense. A shed eighteen feet wide and sixty 
feet long, closed on three sides, may be erected at a cost of 
about $30 to $35 for the material. Such a shed will 
provide ample protection for about forty or fifty ewes 
but of course will not provide storage room for hay and 
feed. In regions where climatic conditions are very severe, 
it might be necessary to have a sheep barn, but such a 
barn can be erected at a very reasonable figure and yet be 
very serviceable. A more detailed discussion of barns 
will be found on page 194. 
THE FLOCK 
Establishing a flock. 
In establishing a flock, it is better for a farmer to start 
on a small scale unless he has previously had experience 
with sheep. A mistake in management or an error in 
judgment is not of so great importance when only a few 
are involved and experience is thus obtained at the mini- 
mum risk and expense. Sheep, although they do not in- 
terfere materially with the regular farm operations, do 
have peculiarities which at times require immediate at- 
tention. One cannot turn them off by themselves and 
expect them to thrive and do well. Such things as 
falling on their backs in dead furrows, foot-rot, and simi- 
lar troubles, will cause serious loss if not given immediate 
attention. By raising the sheep himself, instead of buying 
them all, the farmer may obtain a more uniform flock and 
one that would be better adapted to his ¢onditions, besides 
getting them cheaper. 
Grade flock. 
A grade flock is required where the production of market 
stock is the sole aim. Grade sheep are inferior to pure- 
