The Greeley tribune., 1910-07-07
POINTERS ON SELECTION
OF BREEDING STOCK

tu0 pCoL iccultS are CAPSNtcus thah
desire to improve the flock. 1t is
not enough to maintain the average, |
for In doing this we will soon be-
come discouraged, and even fall be-
hind this standard. While every
one cannot occupy first place In
breeding live stock and more than
in any other walk of life, the aim
should be high, and then some, In
order to keep up the standard of
excellence. DO not breed simply to
multiply numbers, is a good pre-
caution to take.
A mistake in the foundation stock
is difficult to euminate later on, and
is expensive. Experience is good
teacher. but the teaching comes
high; and If possible avoid mistakes
in the beginning. In selecting a
foundation flock of sheep first de-
termine the type of sheep desired,
whether for mutton or wool. or a
combination of these products. in
| nearly every case it Is a combination
we want, for the woolen mil and The
butchers block are the final courts
| to which we must appeal. One Of
| the first consideration is to select
the type or breed desired, sheep you
want and like. The down breeds
are mutton and wool producers COM
bined. Mutton is of first considera-
tion in the premises. and Few
hints on this subject made by Don
aid A. Green, secretary of the llli-
nois Shropshire Breeders Associa-
ton. and Shropshire breeder
himself. will apply with equal force
to all mutton breeders as far as
a desirable type is concerned. and
appear in the Rural Spirit of recent
date
First the mutton form-for ]
think this the most important at the
present day. For good mutton
form, we must have a very wide
sprung rib. straight spine (no
drop behind the shoulders; the
shoulders smooth on top and wide in
proportion to the rest OF the body:
the chest deep and full, denoting a
strong constitution; the loin wide;
the hips broad. carrying the width
we'll back to the tailhead and not
dropping much from line with the
spine; the leg-of-mutton full and
well-fleshed down to hooks: the
neck short and smoothly fitted to
the shoulder; al;o the body should
be we'll covered; natural flesh all
over; especially the back and loin.
The face should be short and broad.
the legs short and straight. setting
on each corner. These latter points
denote quality"
With mutton form we must have
quality. those characteristics which
are so difficult to define. but which
seldom escape the experienced eye.
| Symmetry of form, not too coarse.
and not too delicate, legs not too
long and not too short for the breed.
eyes bright and clear. the animal
showing refinement in ell its lines
are some of the points to be consid-
cred under what is termed quality.
Uniformity is another important
consideration. Some defects will not
be 40 noticeable II the flock presents
uniform characteristics. This 10
down. The English flock. for exam
pie. is more uniform than the aver
age American flock. There the type
is very thoroughly established by
long continued breeding on the same
farm under similar conditions. and
with the same objects in view Here
not enough time has been given to
the fixing of definite type in our
flocks and breeds. In time we shall
have the Butterfield, the Davidson,
the McKerrow, and the Harding
type in this country. rs we give the
names Of the English breeders to
certain types of the various breeds.
AS to the wool product the follow
ing points are made by Mr.. Green,
and apply to the Shropshire in par
ticular:
"As stated before, WOO, is an i'm
portant factor; therefore. we want
as many pounds as possible so long
~ Iv,
amining the sleeps fleece. the first
thing we want to look for is even
ness of length. density and quality
all over the body. keeping sharp
lookout for hemp or hair and black
fiber For good weight of wool the
sheep should have as long fiber
and as dense as possible, with
wool all over the body, legs and face.
"The eve should look like eve.
having the timid. feminine appear
ance; the ram should be the oppo-
site. showing bold. masculine ap-
pearance. strong head, neck and
shoulders. but not too much out of
proportions with the rest of the
body. A little coarseness is not so
Objectionable In a ram. I like to see
i a ram that is ready to knock his
shepherd over. or whip the other
ram from the reed. tnen l know MS
lambs will stand the knocks that
would kill the lambs from ram
that is willing to let some other ram
have his share OF the feed.
"In selecting ewes for my reserve
breeding stock. I used this system: I
stand Off and note their general
form of breed type, also that they
have determined. stylish action.
and feminine appearance: | examine
their mutton form. as described in
the beginning-the constitution is
sure to be right also: examine the
fleece for points described, ON the
side midway between the hips and
shoulder, on the hip. well down on