176 Western Live-stock Management 
pearance she had earlier in life. 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-established 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 
