Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-12-28

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much Importance cannot be attached
to making correct start.
Selection Of Sires.
Having acquired the eve flock, it is
always we'll TO look carefully through
the whole flock and endeavor to find
out the weak points, as undoubtedly
they will be present, no matter how
ever careful the selections have been
made.
In choosing ram. care should be
taken to secure one that,is strong IN
the points where the ewes are weak,
but the breeder must not overlook the
fact that it is absolutely imperative to
secure an animal with vigorous, ro-
bust constitution good chest develop
ment. well sprung ribs, wide loin,
straight back, good underline, strong
bone, with legs placed at each corner
of the body. In no case let fashion lead
the breeder to forget that the ultimate
object in breeding sheep is to produce
mutton and wool at a minimum cost
that will sell readily at top prices. Elk
perience has proved that where this
course is carefully pursued, the weak
points of the rams are much less
marked in their offspring, and, If 1t IS
persevered in, are in time often en-
tirely gotten rid of. AS the object at
first should be to get thorough good
| flock, the sire should be chosen with
that in view. Therefore very mascu-
line ram is not so necessary, II pos,
sessing good character and type.
While slight inclination to feminine
about the head is not Objectionable.
still plenty of size, length Of body and
all the true characteristics of the
breed must be present BY the use OF
this type of ram for a few years a.
first-class flock of ewes should be the
outcome, and then none but the high
est class rams possessing strong mas
culine character should be used. 1t is
not so necessary to obtain size in the
!, sire, provided the animal Is masculine
and big. SO to speak, in his points.
, Many really small rams have proved
{ themselves remarkable getters both
as to size and quality. Some breeders
, recommend that one ram should be
selected annually with the object OF,
begetting ewes to keep up the flock,
3 land this suggestion is certainly de-
3 serving of serious consideration.
/ 1t is always safest to select rams
+ from old established fiocks as they are
r undoubtedly the most reliable and the
e most impressive. This is accounted for
0 no doubt by the greater strength Of
h blood inherited by a long course Of
J. careful, and probably, close breeding.
t The use of ram lambs should be evad-
5, ed, as the continued use of immature
J. sires would result in rapid deterior-
e alton of the flock.
It Exhibiting Sheep.
r Every breeder of sheep should alfn
u 1Ne, 1i1> .p%
e national shows, and state ard county
# fairs. There are at least two good
e. reasons why we should make an ex-
6 hibit. First, it is the logical way to let
y the outside world know what you are
e doing, and secondly you owe it Sto. the
IL industry There is no more effective
it way to advertise the sheep industry
;e and to interest new men in the bust
r ness than to have full exhibits at oul
n our county, state and national shows
h The majority of our American people
" are good followers. They like to BIZ
j. with the crowd, Just so long as oul
e. sheep breeders remaii at home from
It. the county fairs, so that the presence
it Of sheep is more of a curiosity than {
OF regular exhibit, there will be more
t. or less of prejudice in the minds 0
m the average man against sheep. TIL,
OF man who exhibits sheep at the aver
re age county fair in the central west, i
v. doing missionary work which is sur
Sc to. bear fruit. No man should exhibi
i'll sheep who has not made, some prepal
alton. The length Of time required Z
ca make the preparations will depen
r.. upon the Importance of the shows t
~. be made. Several months of prepare
~. ton are necessary for state and ne
~. tional shows while from six to eigh
,s weeks will do fairly well in the cas-
~ of county fairs. Select about twice a
an many animals as you contemplat
~. showing, as some of them e sure t
-, disappoint you In making the sele
~, tions be very careful to eliminate a
-, that have defects which would ba
re- their winning. What is defect whic
y, cannot be passed over in show rim
he must be left to the judgment of til
,,e breeder. Remember that your yer
ar. best sheep will usually have. difficult
nc enough in winning, especially in kee
competition. The breeding and cond
toning Of sheep is subject too e
tensive in scope to be treated in tn
ich connection Suffice it to say that co
is dition is one of the most importal
ak factors in determining sleeps pos
hly ton in the show ring. While high CO
ar ditioned sheep do not always win, st
ing a thin animal is seldom recognized
his good condition.
md Having brought the sheep of the 7
of spective classes as near to perfectit
on as possible as regards growth and co
to dition. much will depend upon the W;
ma in which they are placed before II
es- judges. Here is where skill and expe
the ence on the part of the Snowman o
entimes wins over the superior in,
God vidual. Where pens or groups are
isis be shown every care should be TAX
ype to present uniform lot A prize
in often thrown away by putting togeth
/ of animals OF different sizes and types.
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