Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1911-10-20
PROSPEROUS Mzzp eAhoEe5 A0AE

A difficulty In mutton production has always been
the scarcity of stock sheep. particularly sires,
having sufficient merit to fill the standard of
cellence The ideal SIRE it may be added should
be impressive. resoute and OF noble bearing
distinctly the head of the flock in every sense of
the word. This requires, of course good consu-
tutonal and vital powers
1t has likewise come to be regarded as essen
tial, as above pointed out, that mutton sheep
should have a good fleece as well as a good
carcass. This combination has been proven both
practical and profitable and II is no longer re-
garded necessary to grow sheep for fleece.
another for carcass and another for a lamb An
intelligent, up-to-date fockmaster combines them
all in one class Some of the best mutton sheep
are producing profitable ieeces as those kent
exclusively for wool and their lambs are decidedly
superior. AS is we'll known one of the first es
sentlals In good fleece is compactness or den
sity, this quality not only insuring better Weld
or WOOL but also afording better protection
against storm This indicates a harder ANNA,
and one better able to withstand exposure It 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 tendencv
In latter day breeding is toward CARRYING the
fleece more completely over the head face limbs
and under parts
The far-sighted sheep raiser ia also cor,,ns .,
guard against neglect or undue exnosure of bic
mock, periods OF sickness, or indeed ANYTHING that
viii impair the vitality Of the animals for II has
ce1ne to be pretty well understood that s,,ch IN
nuences diminish both the length and strength of
hoer ana nneness whereas, length and strength
OF hoer are essential qualities in a good eeeo
Wellfed sheep always produce the hest wool an,
the greatest Quantity of it, and expert oninior 10
to the effect that fleece almost invariablv .bo;r
10 uecune III value after sheep has passed tba
age OF TOUR years The best grade of wool 10
invariably found on the rear part of the shoulder
ana wrinkles or folds of the skin about tbe nect
OF otner parts OF the body are detrimental mas
much as the wool that grows within these TOD
is unlike other parts of the fleece and there is
consequent lack of uniformity
The proper feeding of sheep is one of tb ont.,
responsibilities connected with the industr -
some localities the "selffeeder" is extars,,
employed. but in other localities it is NOT IN 49,
favor Properly cured alfalfa has come mn No.
derfuly in popularity as food for sboan -
many sheep feeders have purchased extar, 80
areas OF alfalfa for use in this connection Mano
of the large feeders in such states as Nonrass.
Colorado and Minnesota have no shelter for tbasr
hocks out II Is generally conceded now that pron
erly constructed sheds are an ADVANTAGES ~
though OF course, involving considerable outlav r.
tne case OF large feeding yards Some Of tho
most progressive sheep men now recommend
feeulng three times day although Others st,u
cnng to the old idea that ii Is not pecessarv -
leed more than twice a day Along with all thasa
other requisites for in sheen raising ther
is the necessity for the good shepherd Of iude
ment and experience Even on the range whera
sheep are supposed to be able to shift for thsm-
selves there Is tendency to employ a hettar
class OF men sheep herders