Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1866-01-04
agricultural.
Selection of Breeding Sheep.

Persons who have not made business
or study of keeping sheep, are often in
doubt what rams to select for the stocks
and many times crafty men will impose on
the credulity of those who ought to know
better, and induce them to use grade ami
mails. Grade animals and bulls will not
transmit their good points to their progeny,
with any degree of certainty. Whether it
is desirable to select a South-Down, Leices-
ter, or Merino, it is important to choose a
full blOoded animal, in order to secure the
greatest Improvement in the increase ofthe
flock
The progeny of full-blooded sire and
ewes of ordinary quality, is almost always
better than anticipated while that Of a
grade sire with such ewes will almost in,
yariably be inferior to their dams Most
farmers are influenced greatly by the pres.
ent cost Of a good ram, rather than by the
prospective profits accruing from the GER
tain Improvement in their flocks, by procur-
ing full blooded animals If a farmer has
a hundred good ewes, it will be more pro-
fitable, whether his object is wool OF NUT
ton, to pay $50 or 500 for a ram which
will be a sure getter Of excellent stock,
than $50 for a grade animal of equally
good form, whose stock will in all proba-
bility not be equal to himself.
Breeders differ in opinion with regard to
the most judiciOus and profitable crosses,
not only for the production of wool, but
for both wool and mutton. But, if mutton
is the primary object, in a flock showing a
large infusion Of Long-wool blood south
Down cross will make as profitable mutton
sheep as can reasonably be expected and
at the same time they will show a marked
improvement in the quantity Of WOOL
Should the ewes be of mongrel breed of
fair size and thrift, and the object be to i'm
prove the fleece, it will be best to use a
full bloOded American or Silesian Merino
ram. If the choice is early lambs for mar
ket South Down, Shropshire Down, Cots
void, or Leicester ram should be selected.
If the ewes are properly kept during the
foddering season, the lambs will be large
and strong, and be ready for market very
carly Should they be desired for mutton.
when 3 or years old, they will be found
to yield quite as large a profit, including,
the produce of wool, lambs and carcass. as
any other class of sheep. Flocks of sheep
may be more rapidly improved by the use
Of good rams than by any other means,
provided they have good care, but neglect
and wrong treatment will ef1ectually neu-
trallze all the good superior animal might
do tock. y mature ram should never
f"a with more than 30 ewes in this season,
Tut the number may be doubled if he is
kept confined. According to the common
practice, the rams are very well fed with
grass, and have grain dailyfor several davs
OF weeks perhaps, before their introduction
t" the flock but after that they often re-
cclve no grain at all, and sharing the close
pasturagc with the ewes, get nothing else.
such treatment, every sensible man must
Know, IS most Injurious both to the ram and
ms progeny. Instead Of feeding the rams
less, their feed should be increased, and
such variety should be presented that
hey Will be induced to fill themselves and
pass several hours Illuminating. The ram
ought DO have all the good hay, corn stalks
and grass he can eat, with not less grain
than is equivalent to a pound of corn meal.
mingled with an equal quantity Of unbot-
I'd wheat flour daily, in addition to this he
should nave salt and fresh water always
before hIm If one has peas or beans they
may be ted instead of meal, after having,
been soaked q hours If rams will eat
them, there is no better feed for them cs-
pucially at this season.
When the time Of service is nearly pass
ed, the rams may have their liberty and
run with the flock, for if flock is in good
condition and has been well watched and
cared for 100 ewes will all, with rare cy-
ccptions, have passed their season success
ini with only single ram, within fifteen
or twenty days
Ihcr" are several ways of managing a
flock at this period That of separating
the rams from the ewes every night, and
coniining them in small enclosure where
they cannot hear the flock, is most desirable
IN either large or small hocks. 4 very
good way is to keep the ram i'll Il small pen
IN the field with the ewes, which should be
conveniently near the farmstead The ram
shonld have a cord about 80 feet long at.
tachcd to his hind foot, by which he may be
fastened TO stake whenever he is let out
which is for the shortest possible time
whenever the tlockmaster or shepherd noti
ccs eve lingering about his enclosure. =
BY following the hints here given, a fine lot
Of vigorous lambs in April will be almost
certainly secured