Diseases of Sheep. 



333 



it will be prudent to introduce a different stock, excellintr exactly 

 in those points where the breeder feels his own to be defective."^' 



There are one or two general maxims, connected with breed- 

 ing, which I may be allowed to mention. 



It is a common ambition with the farmer to choose a ram 

 that will produce a large and early-fatting stock. Where the 

 pasturage is rich and abundant, this is a correct principle ; but 

 the breeder must l^e governed by attentive consideration of these 

 circumstances. He must regulate the size of his stock by his 

 means. A kindly disposition to early fattening is of course a 

 powerful recommendation of the ram, but, if the progeny is larger 

 in size than is consistent with the economy of the farm, the 

 breeder will not eventually prove a gainer. 



The particular defects of the existing stock should be closely 

 considered in the choice of a foreign ram. Perfection of form 

 and disposition combined are the great objects. A perfect form 

 in a sheep, or indeed in any animal, is rather matt r for the eye 

 to judge of than for verbal explanation ; still it may be observed, 

 that just proportion of all the parts, vivacity of eye, roundness, 

 depth, and capacity of chest, a straight back, clean and upright 

 limbs, rotundity of barrel, and breadth of loin, are regarded 

 as the principal and best points of a sheep ; and it will usually 

 be found that, where this symmetry of appearance is combined 

 the disposition to fatten early will accompany it.f A practical 

 man will scarcely require the caution that, in a well- conditioned 

 sheep, it will be prudent to form his opinion by the frame of the 

 animal, and not by the roundness and beauty of his outline, for 

 that may be occasioned by his apparent condition, artificially got 

 up for show, vvhile his actual and true form will be found, on 

 handling, to be imperfect. 



I consider the following to be a very correct definition of the 

 figure and points of a perfect New Leicester sheep : — The head 

 should be hornless, long, small, tapering towards the muzzle, and 

 projecting horizontally forward; the eyes prominent, but with a 

 quiet expression, and not placed far asunder ; the ears thin, rather 



* There can be no doubt that fresh blood in a flock is absolutely necessary 

 to keep up the constitution ; you may retain your good shape and aptitude 

 to fatten, but by breeding too long in-and-iu you will lose that strength of 

 constitution which in South-Down sheep especially, after all, is that which has 

 spread them over the whole kingdom, and has made them so valuable. — 

 John Ellman. 



t I am of opinion that even the most sanguine are not aware of the diflfer- 

 ence in profit between feeding-otf ten acres of turnips, and hay in propor- 

 tion, with well-bred sheep (that will lay on flesh quick, and bear a heavy 

 fleece of wool), and with those of an inferior description (slack made, thin- 

 chested, light-coated, meagre sheep), unless they have actually proved it. — 



W. HUMFRKY. 



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