Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1911-09-29

A difficulty in mutton production has always been
the scarcity of stock sheep, particularly sires.
having sufficient merit to fill the standard of
ceence The ideal sire, it 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 consi-
tutonal and vital powers.
It has likewise come to be regarded as essen
tal, as above pointed out, that a mutton sheep
should have a good fleece well a good
carcass. This combination has been proven both
practical and profitable, and it is no longer
garded necessary to grow sheep for fleece,
another for a carcass and another for lamb. An
intelligent, up-to-date focRmaster combines them
all in one class Some of the best mutton sheep
producing profitable feeces those kept
exclusively for wool and their lambs decidedly
superior. AS is we'll known, of the first es-
sentials in good fleece is compactness or den
sity, this quality not only insuring better yield
of wool, but also affording better protection
against storm. This indicates q 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 over the head, face, limbs
and under parts
The far-sghted sheep raiser is also coming to
guard against neglect or undue exposure of his
flock, periods of Sickness indeed anything that
will impair the vitality of the animals, for it has
to be pretty we'll understood that such in
fuences diminish both the length and strength of
fiber and hneness, whereas length and strength
of fiber essential qualities in 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 or folds of the skin about the neck
other parts of the body are detrimental mas
much as the wool that grows within these folds
is unlike other parts of the fleece and there is
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 up won
derfully in popularity as a food for sheep 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 their
hocks, but 1t Is generally conceded now that prop
erly constructed sheds are an advantage al
though, of course, Involving considerable outlay in
the case of large feeding yards. Some of the
most progressive sheep men now recommend
feeding three times a day, although others still
cirS to the old idea that it is not necessary to
feed more than twice u 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 on the range where
sheep are supposed to be able to shift for them.
selves there Is tendency to empoy better
class OF men as sheep herders