Managing the Farm Flock 27 



proval, for I believe this country will need more and better bred sheep, 

 and that the business will be profitable, but I am not dealing with that 

 phase of the industry in this book, because I have not the space to point 

 out the good and bad qualities of each breed, nor how to select and weed 

 out for points peculiar to each breed, as well as crossing, and even in- 

 breeding necessary to develop and bring forth certain qualities. 



Selection 



To the man who feels he would like to own sheep and do them jus- 

 tice, I offer the following suggestions for selecting breeding ewes and 



rams. 



Select ewes that are: 



(a) Broad backed, vroll grown and lively on their feet. 



(b) Sound of teeth and milking organs; examine carefully for hard 

 lumps in udders. 



(c) From one to six years old. 



(d) Covered with dense, compact coat of wool ; belly and legs should 

 be well covered. 



(e) Uniform in size and breeding. 



If ewes meet with above descriptions, it makes no difference 

 whether they are white or black face, native or western. 



Get a ram that is wide awake, bold and strong in constitution, pure 

 bred if possible, active, vigorous, from one to three years old, symmetri- 

 cal and well developed, not too fine a bone, well wooled and straight in 

 legs. 



The selection of breeding ewes is no small matter, and the best are 

 always the cheapest, for a good ewe will eat no more than a poor one. 

 No ewe kept for commercial purposes should shear less than eight 

 pounds of wool. My experience has taught me to favor the western 

 ewe showing a little Merino blood, if more than 200 are to be kept in 

 one flock. Western ewes are generally marketed by ages, so with a 

 little care, any aged ewe can be had. They are generally uniform in size, 

 a little hardier than natives, and if direct from the western ranches, 

 you can be sure they are in fine physical condition. 



Number to Buy 



In reference to the number to buy, all depends on the buyer, the 

 amount of pasture, shed room and his facilities for handling them 

 properly. I would suggest, however, that a sufficient number be bought, 

 so the investment will be adequate to insure the interest of the shep- 

 herd, thereby forcing him to produce the quality of wool and mutton 

 that will net him good returns. 



Age 



Regarding the ages to buy, there is no definite advice to be given. 

 If purchaser intends to stay in the business more than one year, he 

 should buy a good, young set of ewes. The writer has a big following 



