1380 
THE RUK..A.L NEW-YORKER 
November 21, 
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|| Live Stock and Dairy || 
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FARM STOCK BREEDING. 
Sheep Breeding. 
Part V. 
YPES OF SHEEP.—There are three 
distinct types of sheep ; each type em¬ 
braces two or more different breeds. 
Each type is suited to a certain environ¬ 
ment under which it has been developed. 
Each has its place under our economic 
conditions to-day, and one of the first 
things the sheep breeder has to do is to 
choose the type and breed that he wishes 
to spend his time upon, and having chosen 
with care, the thing to do is to stick to 
that breed. The heavy wooled type has 
been reared under conditions of sparse 
and hilly pastures and hence stand graz¬ 
ing well. The fine wooled sheep are of a 
different form than are the mutton or 
medium wools. The typical fine wool 
form is of the same tri-wedge conforma¬ 
tion that is so valuable an asset to the 
dairy animal. It may have other defects 
of body such as the ewe neck, and the ani¬ 
mals are often “pot-bellied,” and liable to 
have cat-hams. Because of the fact that 
the value of these sheep lies in their 
staple of -wool and not so much in their 
carcasses, we can condone certain pecu¬ 
liarities of form which would be con¬ 
demned in the strictly mutton sheep. The 
general class of fine wooled sheep is the 
Merino and of this type we have the 
American and Rambouillet. Increase the 
surface for wool growing and the possible 
weight of fleece has been increased. In 
the case of the fine wooled sheep, the sur¬ 
face for wool production has been increas¬ 
ed by breeding for large folds of skin on 
the neck. These may be five or more in 
number on the American Merinos, and 
are called the “apron.” The Rambouillets 
possess less folds of skin and a form more 
comparable to the mutton type. 
There is another type of sheep which 
has been reared under the heavy lowland 
pasture conditions of the fertile regions of 
Great Britain. These sheep are much 
heavier, their wool is not so dense, though 
longer, and they are well suited for our 
lowland pastures. Despite the fact that 
these sheep have a longer fiber they can¬ 
not stand the rigors of a severe Winter 
so well as the fine-wools because their 
fleeces are not so dense; i. e., there are 
not so many fibers growing to the square 
inch. The wool hangs in ringlets and 
parts so that the skin of the sheep is ex¬ 
posed to the blasts of Winter and the 
rains may beat upon an unprotected spot. 
Exposure, to this class of sheep, means 
loss. Breeds of this type are the Lincoln, 
Cotswold and Leicester. The ideal body 
conformation is “cylindrical” with well 
joined neck and shoulders, broad, long 
loins with well developed hind quarters. 
The medium wool types of sheep con¬ 
tain such well-known breeds as the 
Shropshire, Hampshire, Oxford, South- 
down and Dorset. Under Central States 
conditions there is a large demand for 
sheep that will shear a good weight of 
fleece, and still give a good mutton car¬ 
cass. Such conditions are met by these 
medium wooled breeds. The breeding of 
a superior medium wooled sheep is a much 
more painstaking job than to breed either 
the fine or long wools. In breeding stock 
it is a fairly easy thing to perpetuate one 
character such as color, the tri-wedge con¬ 
formation, or the absence of horns, but 
when it comes to fixing two of these char¬ 
acters in one individual, the problem be¬ 
comes more complex. So in breeding the 
medium wools, it is difficult to get 
the ideal mutton type well covered 
with a good quality of wool and perpetu¬ 
ate this through many generations with¬ 
out getting too far over one way or the 
other. 
Keeping Records. —The most careful 
shepherds now are practicing a system of 
record keeping for their individuals, and 
it is said that these records are just as 
valuable in picking out the superior ani¬ 
mal as are the records of other classes of 
live stock. It does not seem as though 
argument is needed to show that these 
records, when kept carefully and through 
three or four generations are very valu¬ 
able. The sheep that will shear 10 to 12 
pounds of wool is worth an appreciable 
amount more than one that will shear 
seven or eight pounds only. Say, for in¬ 
stance, that a record has been kept of the 
weights of the lambs borne by different 
ewes, the weight of fleece they sheared; 
also, the quality of the fleeces. While 
feeding will make some difference in the 
size of the lambs, size is an inherited 
character and so is quantity and quality 
of fleece. A sheep breeder in Canada 
has. through breeding, secured ewes, the 
bulk of whose offspring are either twins 
or triplets. Another advantage of keep¬ 
ing records, is that rams may be chosen 
for the quantity and quality of fleeces 
they can transmit together with weight of 
lambs and mntton conformation. 
Selecting The Ram.— While there are 
some few flocks of sheep which belong to 
the strictly wool or mutton types, the big 
demand is for sheep that produce a me¬ 
dium weight of fleece, and at the same 
time, the lambs and adults make good 
mutton. This demand has forced the me¬ 
dium wools into prominence and so we 
will deal with the choice of a ram from 
this class, only. The ram should have an 
open, yet not vicious eye. A good supply 
of energy is needed, but excess energy is 
likely to vent itself upon the attendant. 
The color of the inside of the eyelid is a 
good indicator as to his internal condi¬ 
tion. A rosy pink color is a sign of 
health, but beware of a pale blue tint. 
Something is wrong and this is often the 
presence of stomach worms or intestinal 
parasites. The muzzle should be fitted 
with good open nostrils and strong jaws. 
A good girth around the body behind the 
forelegs (called the crops), taken togeth¬ 
er with open nostrils indicate strong 
breathing apparatus, and since large 
quantities of oxygen are needed in order 
to oxidize the food which is burned in the 
body, these are essential. Another notice¬ 
able defect in lots of Chicago lambs is 
that they are ewe-necked. This knocks off 
a little in the price which is paid for them 
and so the ram should have a neck blend¬ 
ing well with the shoulders. In selecting 
the ram remember that the greatest value 
of the sheep’s carcass lies in the loin and 
hind-quarters. These are inheritable 
qualities, so the ram should have a long, 
well-fleshed loin with well muscled hind¬ 
quarters if his get are to "top the mar¬ 
ket.” A discriminating market will pay 
more for a carload of such lambs than for 
a carload of cat-hammed individuals. The 
qualities of fleece which we look for in a 
ram of the medium wool class are the 
same as those which are to be encouraged 
in the ewes and these are given below. 
Requisites of a Good Fleece.— The 
character of the wool covering the sheep, 
together with its density, will be the de¬ 
termining factors which will influence the 
price paid for the product. Some sheep 
have a good quality of fiber, but on ac¬ 
count of its sparseness on the body, they 
are unprofitable and not amply protected 
from the elements. On the other hand. 
the fiber may be dense yet the character 
of the wool is such that the value is ma¬ 
terially decreased. The way to remedy 
these conditions is through selection. The 
medium wool fleece s’ ould. in general, be 
from two to 2*4 inches long at shearing 
time. To examine the fleece, lean over 
the animal and part the wool on the op¬ 
posite side, never on the back. The 
righteous indignation of a showman can 
easily be excited by parting the wool of 
his sheep on their backs. This makes an 
entrance for dirt and rain. Part the wool 
on the side. Note the amount of oil 
(yolk), the length and crimp of fiber and 
its density. These are the things which 
demand special notice. The yolk is nec¬ 
essary in order to preserve the wool and 
is also very effective in keeping dirt and 
foreign matter out of the fleece. It is also 
a protection against cold weather. Long 
fibers add to the weight, while the den¬ 
sity (number of fibers growing to the 
square inch) often makes the difference 
between a seven or eight-pound fleece and 
an 11 or 12-pound fleece. 
Another point which should be no¬ 
ticed is the covering. Some breeds have 
open faces while others have well wooled 
faces and legs. This of course, must be 
suited to the breed one is keeping, but it 
is a fact that sheep well wooled on the 
face, under side of the body, and well 
down on the legs, are better protected 
from the weather. The wool covering 
these parts is just as valuable as that on 
the back and in a flock of 50 sheep makes 
quite a difference in the weight of fleece. 
The most noticeable defect of the farm 
flocks of this country is the absence of 
wool on these parts, and it could be very 
easily remedied by selecting rams well 
covered. While the sheep breeder must 
be careful not to over-emphasize the fleece 
to the detriment of the mutton confor¬ 
mation, yet it will bear improvement 
without deteriorating from the mutton 
value of the carcass. 
Avoid Diseases and Parasites.— 
There are many diseases which attack 
sheep. Some of them may be passed on 
through pasturing upon infected soil. 
Others may be controlled by prevention 
rather than cure and still others are con¬ 
trolled only by the judicious use of 
the knife or ax. When a disease 
takes hold of a robust sheep, a fight 
commences—a fight between the white 
blood corpuscles of the animal body and 
the disease germs. The feed is a' total 
loss. Precautions against disease are 
worth infinitely more than barrels of 
sheep remedies. It is more economical to 
apply a stock dip than to feed ticks. It 
takes feed to make the tissue food which 
is carried throughout the body by the 
blood, and if ticks suck blood, they suck 
food, hence it costs money to keep them. 
The sheep breeder, especially he who 
breeds the medium wooled types must use 
extra precautions in his selection of stock 
to see that he does not lean too far toward 
the wool conformation and still retains a 
well-fleshed mutton carcass. These are 
inheritable characteristics and cannot be 
altered to a marked extent by feeding. 
They must come through mating of high- 
class individuals. Then, after obtaining 
such superior animals, keep them clean 
and free from parasites and diseases. 
Michigan. I. j. matiiews. 
LIVE STOCK NOTES AND PRICES. 
More Sheep for Ohio. 
4 4QIIEEP should be raised on every 
O farm in Ohio.” The University 
gives this advice. Sheep hus¬ 
bandry in the State has two distinct draw¬ 
backs, stomach worms and dogs. The 
fence used by the United States Forest 
Service in protecting sheep from coyotes 
is recommended. This fence is built as 
follows: A strand of barbed wire is sta¬ 
pled to posts at the surface of . the 
ground; three inches above this is placed 
a 36-inch strip of closely-woven wire 
fencing, and above this two strands 
barbed wire. If sheep free from stom¬ 
ach worms are secured, little trouble will 
be caused by these pests. The worms are 
small whitish worms that infest the stom¬ 
achs of the sheep. The lambs become in¬ 
fested by eating grass on which the 
young worms have crawled. It is recom¬ 
mended that lambs be placed on pasture 
which has not been occupied by mature 
sheep. It is advised that 25 or 30 ewes 
should be found on every Ohio farm. A 
flock of this size may be kept at small 
expense, it will clean the farm of weeds, 
provide a supply of wholesome food, and 
return to farmer a neat sum from the 
wool produced. The best roughage for 
sheep is clover or Alfalfa hay and a few 
roots. If clover is not available corn 
fodder supplemented with a little bran 
or linseed meal is sufficient. When 
lambs are old enough to eat, give them 
a little cracked corn where the ewes 
cannot get it. A small flock of ewes may 
be pastured during Winter on a wheat 
or rye field. 
Land in Barron County, Wisconsin, 
has risen in 15 years from $20 to $100 
an acre, due to keeping cows, and better 
cows each year. 
The Nebraska Experiment Station 
has recently found that cows calving in 
September and October average 785 
pounds more milk than those freshening 
in April and May. 
Two tons of Alfalfa hay contain as 
much feeding value as 110 bushels of 
oats. One acre of land produces the Al¬ 
falfa, while three acres are required to 
grow the oats. It costs $8.26 to grow the 
Alfalfa and $21.03 to grow the oats. 
A farmer in Michigan has discontinued 
the apartment hoghouse. He is using 
the individual hoghouse. and since the 
change, he has not had a sick animal. 
He scatters air-slaked lime wherever the 
hogs sleep or frequent out of doors, and 
frequently supplies dry bedding. 
Doctor Lowry of Lawrence County, 
Ohio, claims a world champion grade as 
producer of heifer calves. Four heifers 
in 10 months and all are doing well. The 
cow is a grade Brown Swiss, and the 
calves by the first service are from Jer¬ 
sey bull, and the second service, from a 
Holstein. 
Oct. 18. Alfalfa, which is the main 
money crop, $4.50 in the stack. Butter- 
fat, highest, 32y 2 ; lowest last Summer, 
22. Beef, on £orff, 5% to 6; hogs 8 to 
10; eggs 40, have been as low as 20. 
Potatoes $25 to $30 per ton. Milch cows 
from $60 to $200. Veal 11 to 12, dressed. 
Money scarce. c. b. r. 
Fallon, Nev. 
Oct. 27. As I am situated within nine 
miles of St. Louis we get close to the 
retail prices for garden and truck crops. 
Last year when potatoes were quoted at 
75 to 80 cents a bushel in St. Louis we 
received one dollar delivered to families 
in five and 10-bushel lots; tomatoes and 
other things in proportion. We sell our 
milk at home from six to 10 cents a 
quart; do not have any cattle except 
milch cows. e. b. o. 
Belleville, Ill. 
Relief For Choking Cow. —The fol¬ 
lowing is a sure cure for a cow with an 
apple in the throat. Melt one pint of 
lard and drench the cow. I will guar¬ 
antee the apple will go up or down in a 
minute or two. This is u simple remedy, 
but sure. n. l. m. 
A FARM FLOCK LACKING UNIFORMITY. 
When 
you write 
advertisers 
mention 
The R. 
N.-Y. and 
you'll 
get 
a quick 
reply and a "square 
deal.” 
See 
guaran- 
tee editorial page. 
: 
: 
: : 
PARSONS 
“LOW DOWN” 
MILK WAGONS 
must appeal to 
the milkman—the 
milkman who is 
in business for 
profit. 
We assume all 
the risk by our 
guarantee. 
Write at 
for catalog D and 
photos. 
THE PARSONS WAGON CO., Earlville, New York 
Only $2 Down 
One Year to Pay![||" 
m Buys the New Butter- 5 
U M By Jr. No.l. Light running? 
W M easy cleaning, close skim- 
ming, durable. Guaranteed 
a lifetime. Skims 95 qts. 
per hour. Made also in four 
larger Rizcs up to 5 1-2 shown fiore 
30 Days’ Free Trial e*™ own 
j J and more by what 
it saved in cream. Postal brings Free cat¬ 
alog folder and “direct-from-factory ’' offer, 
buy from the manufacturer and save half. 
ALBAUGH-DOVER CO. 
221 2 Marshall Blvd. CHICAGO 
Brand New Dairy Equipment ? h °an cost 
I recently purchased the following well-known 
dairy .apparatus which I do not need, and will sell 
it at 10% less than I paid, F. O. B. Peekskill, N. Y. 
It is brand new and unused: Cost 
DAVIS BOTTLING MACHINE (G bottles).SI25 GO 
6-H. P IDEAL HORIZONTAL BOILER. 130.00 
D0NEGAN AND SWIFT 3-H P. VERTICAL ENGINE 88 00 
BURRELL SIMPLEX CHURN & BUTTER WORKER 131 50 
COOLER. 105.00 
I will also sell a 4-unit Sharpies Milking Machine, 
including pump, in use 6 mouths, for $375. Cost, $500. 
CHAS. H. BAKKK, - Peekskill, If. Y. 
ELECT*'® 
tSWKS 
L 
Save draft — save repairs. 
Don’t rut roads or fields. Send today for free 
illustrated catalog of wheels and wagons. 
Electric Wheel Co., 4 8 Elm St. f Quincy. III. 
PDI IMD'C IMPROVED 
LtKUIYlDi WARRINER 
STANCHION 
Henry H. Albertson, Bnrl- 
ington, N. J., writes: “My 
new Stanchions add greatly 
to the comfort of my cows.” 
WHY TORTURE 
yours with rigid stanchions? 
Send for specifications 
of inexpensive yet sani¬ 
tary cow stable to 
WALLACE 15. CRUMB, Box MO, Forostvllle, Conn. 
SAVE born CALVES 
CTTRA-BOS positively cures 
WHITE SCOURS, also prevents this dread 
disease. Attacks are sudden and fatal. Be 
prepared. TRIAL BOTTLE to reputable 
stockmen — send 10c. for postage and pack¬ 
ing. Used extensively in high-grade dairies. 
Dairy size, $1; Veterinary size, $2. 
TROY CHEMICAL CO., 24 Commerce St., Binghamton, N.Y. 
Just the thing for 
I , ,, farmers! Light, 
durable, sanitary, waterproof—way ahead 
of leather or metal soles for all farm and 
dairy work. Try a pair and be convinced. Send 
money and state size wanted. Delivered by Par¬ 
cel Post, free, direct to your door. Satisfaction 
or money back. Illustrated booklet free. 
A. H. RIEMER SHOE CO. (Established 1887) 
2811 Vllot St., MILWAUKEE, WIS, 
RIEMER’S 
WOOD SOLE 
Buckle Shoes, $2.50 
High Boots, 4.00 
THE GASOLINE ENGINE ON THE 
FARM. Its operation, repair and uses. 
By Xeno W. Putnam. 
This is the kind 
of a book every 
farmer will appre¬ 
ciate and every 
farm home ought 
to have. Includes 
selecting the most 
suitable engine for 
farm work. Its 
most convenient 
and efficient in¬ 
stallation, with 
chapters on trou¬ 
bles, their reme¬ 
dies, and how to 
avoid them. The 
care and manage¬ 
ment of the farm 
tractor in plowing, 
harrowing, bar 
vesting and road 
grading are fully 
covered: also plain 
directions are 
given for handling the tractor on the road. 
530 pages. Nearly 180 engravings. 
This book will be sent to any address prepaid for 
TWO NEW YEARLY SUBSCRIPTIONS 
or Twenty Ten-week Trial Subscriptions 
or Four Yearly Renewal Subscriptions 
or One New Yearly Subscription and Two 
Renewal Subscriptions. 
The Rural New Yorker, 333 West 30th St., N. Y. 
