Pioneer press. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1882-19??, 1912-06-15

larSinS the number by the addition of
as many grade ewes as may be deem
ed. eNpedient. beginning in this way.
flock Of pure-bred sheep may be rap
IDLY built up, and as tho pure-brcd
hock increases the grades may be
eliminated.
For the man without experience and
who is engaging In the business to sup
ply the butcher market with lambs or
mutton sheep, there is probably no
better way to begin the business than
by buying small bunch Of GOOD,
sound, healthy young grade ewes and
Il pure-bred ram Of one OF the down
breeds, and gradually grading up tho
lock by selecting the best eve lambs
every year. The sire is Of primary i'm
portancc, and under no circumstances
aaould anything but a pure-bred ram
lie used. To avoid in-breeding it will
be necessary to change sires frequently,
bat while the flock is small the ram
may be bred to his own offspring with
CIT serious risk, but in-breeding
should not go beyond this. When the
mock becomes numerous enough to
Justify or HcCeSSi;Gtc the kcepinm @:
Two or moro rams, .u-brceGing may be
entirely avoided. In grading up flock
OF sheep, In order TO maintain uni.
lOrmlly Ill size, form and type, when
the ram is changed the new one should
be OF the same breed, and care should
be taken that he is not akin to the old
one. The ram is very much more than
half Of the flock, so far as the lambs
are concerned, and it is upon him that
we must depend for most Of the i'm
Drovc1nent Of the flock.
The best time to purchase the ewes
is in the early fall, and If they are to
be had IN the locality there Is no bet
ter place to buy them. Care should be
taken that the ewes are not more than
SIX years old, and in building up the
lock all ewes should be sent to tho
Butcher at eight years old or less. All
inferior ones should be rigidly cUllcd
cut every year regardless OF age. Local
ewes are more satisfactory than those
brought from other localities, and the
danger OF bringing In diseases and par
"Sitc@ Is avoided. Besides they are more
G" less adapted to the climate und
ether cnvironmental conditions.
By purchasing the flock in the fa,!
the new owner can control the mating
~ to time and the selection OF tho
sire, and know just when to look
for the lambs. The young ewes
should not be permitted to produce
lambs much before they are two
years old. When they arc bred
younger they neyor make the samo
development, and especially la It I'M
portant that the mutton breeds should
should not be bred too young, az size
is matter Of primary importance in
mutton production.
In order to be certain Of the ape Of
every sheep in the flock, and com
pletc record kept as TO wool and
lambs produced, some system of mark
ing should be adopted. Very satisfac-
tory ear tags are manufactured, which
are numbered so that the number OF
each sheep may be entered in q suit
able flock book and the record entered
from year to year. Such data is of IN
eStimable value in culling out the in?e-
rlor sheep and in breeding up tho flock.
With the natural Instincts Of a sbeD.
herd, good start and careful study Of
the needs ard habits Of his flock, sue
cess in the sheep business on the hills
OF West Virginia is assured.
r. G. ATKESON,
College Of Agriculture, West Virginia
University.