Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1889-01-18
Sheep Jnterest.
STICK TO YOUR TYPE.

Steadiness of purpose in whatever bus
mess we embark, constant effort to gain
some special object which we may have
in view, is commonly one of the strong
est factors of attaining success. In sheep
breeding, as in other pursuits, this prin-
ciple holds true, yet, on the other hand,
it will be freely admitted by all who
have studied human nature, that not
every one is endowed with it. A breed
er, however, should not be so narrow
minded as to be unable to see the faults
of his labors, or the merits of others, or as
not to profit by the experience of his fell
low men.
In a paper read by w. E. Boyden of
Delhi Mills, Michigan, before the Michi-
gan Merino Sheep Breeders association,
entitled "Past, Present and Future of the
Merino," this paragraph occurs: "Some
advocate breeding this way, some that
way, but FOOLS advice to you is to 60
slow in departing in any direction from
what constitutes typical Merino." This
sage advice will apply equally well to
those who are breeders of other classes
of sheep, whether it be Cotswolds, Shrop-
shires or Southdowns. Stick to your
type, and be very slow in listening to
any ones pet theory.
During the period of general depres
sion, which has existed for the past few
years, the more fickle-minded have nat
urally been tempted to embark in other
pursuits, when, in fact, it was during
these very times that their whole energy
should have been directed toward accom-
plshing the most rapid strides in i'm
provement, as the best of material was
then at their disposal at almost a NOM
inal cost.
AS to the type we should breed, let
each be governed by surroundings. The
breeder who is located near large town
where he enjoys handsome returns in the
production of spring lambs, is certainly
justified in the breeding of mutton sheep.
These men are often led to wonder why
all their other brother sheep men do not
follow the same line of breeding, when,
would be the result. And then there is
another class who make wool growing a
speciality, and whose surroundings are
adapted to this branch of the sheep bust
ness only, and who are sometimes led to
wonder why it is that other breeders take
so little interest in the changes in the
wool market This is the class that fur
nish us our clothing woods.
And so, with this diversity in breeding,
let each stick to his type and cultivate
the good things he may have around him
and also study his business closely.
Breed good, common-sense sheep. Do
not go to extremes, but rather preserve
happy medium. If you are a breeder
of merinos and some one ADVISES you to
breed off your wrinkles entirely, don't do
it. 1t may be necessary to breed palmer
err sheep in many instances, yet, if you
desire to cater to the foreign trade, they
want nothing but the wrinkly, heavy
shearing ones. Small wrinkles of course
are not desirable, neither are too many
wrinkles, yet the Merino breeders of Yer
mont and Michigan to-day will not admit
that a perfectly plain sheep is what they
all want. 1t has cost too many years OF
careful breeding to convince them that
they must hereafter be dispened with al
together. Thus, divergence of opinions
affords US the several types, each OF
which is needed in their appointed place
and on this basis we can hardly fear OF
sheep breeding being overdone, but, OF
the other hand, may regard it as ordin
arly safe business, and, in the hands
of many, a profitable one.-[ American
Wool Reporter.