for dipping vats and directions for dipping may bo obtained from Farmers' 
Bulletin 713, Sheep Scab. 
Docking and castration. — Although the secondary school may not attempt any 
technical training in veterinary practice, it should give practical instruction in 
preventing disease and in the minor operations ordinarily performed on the 
farm. The instructor who has had training in this work will not hesitate to 
demonstrate to his students proper methods of docking and castrating lambs 
and then give them an opportunity to do the work by themselves under his 
direction. Directions for both operations are given in Farmers' Bulletin 840, 
Farm Sheep Raising for Beginners. 
Trimming and shearing. — If the instructor has not had training in trimming 
or shearing it may be possible to secure the services of an expert to demon- 
strate proper methods to the students and get them started along the right 
lines in practical work. The work in trimming should be done in connection 
with a consideration of fitting the sheep for the show ring which may be con- 
sidered in connection with practice in judging. Practice in shearing is most 
important for the majority of students. It will not be possible in the time 
available to develop speed and expert skill, but it should be possible to show 
the students how to do it properly and encourage them to develop skill as op- 
portunity is afforded. 
THE HOME PROJECT. 
Mutton and wool production. — The present high prices of both wool and 
mutton with the passing of a large part of the sheep industry from the ranges 
of the West are creating a new interest in sheep husbandry* on the farm. As 
success with sheep depends to a great extent upon learning their habits and 
needs in an intimate way. it is well for future shepherds to get an early start. 
It is comparatively easy to get a start with sheep, hence a beginning in prac- 
tical sheep husbandry makes an excellent home project for students unfavorable 
sections. Such a project should afford a good basis for much of a general 
course in animal husbandry. 
As a beginning project in most cases it will be best for the student to under- 
take the care of a number of ewes for the production of lambs for the market 
or the fattening of feeders with the production of mutton as the primary aim. 
The production of wool and the selection of ewes as breeders may be incidental 
to the main project. If this work is to constitute a major project, there should 
be at least 6 ewes, if the start is made with ewes, or 10 lambs or feeders 
if it is merely a feeding proposition. The experience growing out of such a 
project will enable the student to determine whether he desires to go into sheep 
husbandry and will give him some experience useful in developing a breeding 
flock. If the student is on a farm where sheep are raised, it may be possible 
for him to take over the care of the farm flock or to have some of the sheep to 
feed and manage upon his own account. 
Developing a breeding flock. — The aim of the instructor in getting a student 
to take hold of sheep on a farm suited to sheep husbandry should be to have 
him develop a flock as a permanent proposition. Although he may work into 
the business gradually, it should be with high ideals and with an idea of in- 
creasing the flock toward the maximum capacity of the farm as fast as his 
training and time will permit. The student may start with grade ewes, but 
if the work of the school is effective he will not be satisfied unless he is 
working toward pure-bred stock. Although producing animals for breeding 
purposes calls for a high degree of intelligence and adaptability to the work 
at hand, it is just this sort of farming for which our students should be 
prepared. 
The following outline is suggested for a project in which the primary aim is 
mutton and wool production, but in which the supposition is made that the 
student will work toward developing a breeding flock. 
SHEEP PROJECT STUDY OUTLINE 
I. What are the present prospects for profitable sheep husbandry in this 
section? 
1. Is this section suited especially to sheep raising? 
2. May I use any of our farm for sheep which is not now profitable? 
3. What are the local market demands? 
