The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1911-09-30

A difficulty in mutton production has always been
the scarcity OF stock sheep. particularly sres,
having sufficient merit to fill the standard OF e1-
cellence. The ideal sire 1t may be added, should
be impressive, resolute and of noble bearing
distinctly the head OF the flock in every OF
tutiona and vital powers.
It has likewise to be regarded essen
tial above pointed out that mutton sheep
should have a good fleece as we'll as a good
carcass. This combination has been proven both
practical and profitable, and it is longer
garded necessary to grow one sheep for a fleece.
another for carcass and another for lamb. An
intelligent. uptodate fockmaster combines them
all in class. Some of the best mutton sheep
producing profitable feeces those kept
exclusively for wool and their lambs decidedly
superior AS is well known of the first es
sentials in good fleece is compactness den
sity, this quality not only insurins a better yield
of wool but also afording better protection
against storm. This indicates harder animal
and one better able to withstand exposure. 1t is
desirable to have a close. even, dense fleece with
no breaks cover all parts of the body. including
the head, limbs and under parts. and the tendency
In latter day breeding is toward carrying the
fleece more completely the head. face limbs
and under parts
The farsightcd sheep raiser is also coming to
guard against neglect undue exposure OF his
flock. periods of sickness. indeed anything that
will impair the vitality of the animals for 1t has
come to be pretty well understood that such in
fuences diminish both the length and strength OF
fiber and fneness. whereas length and strength
of fiber essential qualities in a good fleece
Well-fed sheep always produce the best wool and
the greatest quantity of it, and expert opinion is
to the effect that fleece almost invariably begins
to decline in value after sheep has passed the
age of four years. The best grade of wool is
invariably found the rear part of the shoulder
and wrinkles folds of the skin about the neck
or other parts OF the body detrimental, mas
much as the wool that grows within these folds
is unlike other parts of the fleece and there is a
consequent lack of uniformity
The proper feeding Of sheep is one of the chief
responsibilities connected with the industry. In
some localities the "self-feeder' is extensively
employed but in other localities it is not in much
favor. Properly cured alfalfa has come I'D won.
derfully In popularity food for sheep and
many sheep feeders have purchased extensive
areas of alfalfa for in this connection Many
of the large feeders in such states as Nebraska
Colorado and Minnesota have shelter for their
focks. but 1t is generally conceded now that prop
erly constructed sheds an advantage al
though OF course, involving considerable outlay in
the case of large feeding yards. Some of the
most progressive sheep men recommend
feeding three times a day. although others still
cling to the old idea that it is not necessary to
feed more than twice day. Along with all these
other requisites for success in sheep raising there
is the necessity for the good shepherd of judg-
ment and experience. Even the range where
sheep are supposed to be able to shift for them
selves there Is tendency to employ a better
class of men as sheep herders