St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-11-13
A GOOD MUTTON SHEEP.
Pointers That 1t Will Be Found
Well TO Observe.

In choosing a mutton sheep. either to
feed or breed feeding stock from. there
are some principles that can be laid
down as true and applicable in almost
all cases, writes George McKerrow in
the American Sheep Breeder. Tbs easy
feeder must be of the thick fieshed.
bl0cky sort, for daylight that shines I'M
der a sheep, hog or steer can never be
made into meat. and the poSsesSOr of
long legs rarely makes a first-class
feeder. The ribs should be well sprung
so as TO give broad. straight back from
shoulder TO hip, upon which good high
priced meat can be placed with judi
ciOus feeding.
The hips should be carried out on a
line with the back to the tail. keeping a
good width all the way. and should be
we'll filled at the thigh or waist. while
the fore leg should be well filed with
meat above the knee. The shoulders
must be full and muscular. In short,
the carcass should he plump and full
throughout its whole length.
Constitution ana healthy condition
are all-impoItant and are shown by a
bright, clear eye, one that is not yellow,
blOodshOt or watery. A sprightly, act
i've step. as the animal moves along. A
short, thick neck that taperS gradually
from shoulder to head, and is full of
muscles on top of the shoulders.
A wide, deep chest and heart
girth giving room for large lungs
and heart, and rich pink skin.
With all these points well developed,
and large abdomen TO give plenty of
room for the consumption and digestion
of food, you have a sheep that, with
proper foods fed at regular times and in
proper manner, will yield profitable
returns TO the feeder and give SatlStac-
ton to the shipper, butcher and coll
sumner, making all better for having
owned him.
All rams or ewes that have been high
~ fitted in small yards or sheds should
not be given the preference for breed
ing. as they often are, over sheep of
equal quality that only lack the soft,
fiabby flesh that is a detriment to its
possessor. Breeding rams should be in
good muscular condition brought about
by liberal feeding on muscle-fOrm-
ing foods such as oats. bran, clover
nay and good grasses, while they have
a good range where they can have suffi-
cient exercise.
The most of American breeders still
insist that the fleece is the most I'M
pOrtant part of the sheep. and gener-
ally commence their inquiry for sire
to place at the head of their flock with
the question: "What will he shear?"
And if this can be answered with q
large number of pounds sale is made.
1t is we'll known to experienced feeders
that the heaviest-fieeced sheep gener-
ally do not feed as we'll as those that are
of lighter fleece. While / would have
our mutton sheep carry good fleeees of
excellent quality. yet l fear that
we are striving to make the
fleece a leading factor and like
the Merino breeders will wake up
some day to find that we have placed too
much stress on wool and have allowed
the constitution, good feeding quality,
prepotency and the capacity to breed
and feed well high percentage of
choice lambs to depart from our fiocks.
Early maturity is a necessity. and such
animals or breeds as develop into proper
form quickly should be sought after.
The Southdown. Shropshire, Oxford
Down, Dorset and Leicestershire are
breeds that LEAD off in this respect.
The Iowa agrieultUh college does
not propose to do work bShalyes in the
creamery now being built. 1t will run
the year round. 1t will make butter and
cheese, and experiment with these
products in all directions. No one man
knows all about the dairy. and in order
that milk may be inquired into in all its