The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1911-09-28

difficulty In mutton production has always been
the scarcity of stock sheep particularly sires.
having sufficient merit to fill the standard of ex.
cellence. The ideal sire, 1t may be added should
be impressive, resolute and of noble bearing
distinctly the head of the flock In every sense OF
the word. This requires, of course good consti.
tutiOnal and vital powers
1t has likewise come to be regarded as essen.
tial, as above pointed out, that mutton sheen
should have good fleece as we'll as good
carcass. This combination has been proven both
practical and profitable, and 1t is no longer re-
garded necessary to grow one sheep for fleece
another for carcass and another for lamb An
intelligent, up-todate fockmaster combines them
all In one class. Some of the best mutton sheen
are producing as profitable fleeces as those kent
exclusively for wool and their lambs are decidedly
superior AS is we'll known, one of the first es.
sent1als In good fleece is compactne or dem
slty this quality not only insuring better Weld
OF wool, but also affording better protection
against Storm This indicates a harder animal
ana one better able to Withstand exposure It is
desirable to have 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
neece more completely over the head face limbs
and under parts
me lar-slsnted sheep raiser is also coming to
suaIu against neglect or undue exposure of hia
1lock, periods of sickness or indeed anvthina 49,
VIII impair the vitality of the animals for II has
come TO be pretty we'll understood that such in
nuehces dlhlnlsh both the length and strength Of
"oer anu Hnehess, whereas, length and strengt h
Oh nper are essential qualities In a good feeco
Well-led sheep always produce the best wool and
the greatest quantity OF 1t, and expert opin1on is
10 'he erect that fleece almost invariably bepna
10 decline in value after sheep has passed the
age OF four years. The best grade of wool ia
invariably found on the rear part of the shoulder
ana wrinkles or folds of the skin about the neck
al otri
much as the wool that grows within these folds
Is unlike other parts of the fleece and there :.
consequent lack of uniformity
Inc proper feeding of sheep is one of the cniat
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'M won
aer1ully IN popularity food for sheen and
many sheep feeders have purchased extensive
areas OF alfalfa for use in this connection Many
OF the large feeders in such states as Nebraska
Colorado and Minnesota have no shelter for thei,
hocKs' put 1t Is generally conceded now that prop
erly constructed sheds are an advantage al
though OF course involving considerable ontlav II
the case OF large feeding yards Some Of the
most progressive sheep men now recommend
1eeding three times day, although others still
chhg 10 the old idea that 1t is not necessary tf
leed more than twice a day. Along with all these
other requisites for success in sheen raising there
is the necessity for the good shepherd Of iude
ment ana experience. Even on the range where
sheep are supposed to be able to shift for them
serves there Is a tendency to employ bette,
class or men as sheen herders