Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1912-06-13


adopted. We may begin with few
pure-bred sheep of the breed selected,
or we may begin with small flock OF
common or grade ewes, which should
be mated with pure-bred ram OF one
of the down breeds. A middle course
may be adopted by buying pure-bred
ram and few purebred ewes, and en-
larging the number by the addition OF
as many grade ewes as may be deem
ed expedient. Beginning in this way,
a flock of pure-bred sheep may be rap
idly built up, and as the pure-bred
flock 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 a small bunch OF good,
sound, healthy young grade ewes and
a pure-bred ram OF one of the down
breeds, and gradually grading up the
flock by selecting the best eve lambs
every year The sire is OF primary i'm
portance, and under no circumstances
should anything but a pure-bred ram
be used. To avoid in-breeding it will
be necessary to change sires frequently,
but while the flock is small the ram
may be bred to his own offspring with
out serious risk, but in-breeding
should not go beyond this. When the
flock becomes numerous enough to
Justify or necessitate the keeping OF
two or more rams, in-breeding may be
entirely avoided. In grading up flock
of sheep, in order to maintain uni
formity in 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 1t is upon him that
we must depend for most Of the i'm
provement of the flock.
The best time TO purchase the ewes
is in the early fall, and II 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
flock all ewes should be sent to the
butcher at eight years old or less. All
inferior ones should be rigidly culled
out 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
asites Is avoided. Besides they are more
or less adapted to the climate and
other environmental conditions.
By purchasing the flock in the fall
the new owner can control the mating
as to time and the selection Of the
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 are bred
younger they never make the same
development, and especially II II i'm
portant that the mutton breeds should
should not be bred too young. as size
is a matter of primary importance in
mutton production.
In order to be certain Of the age of
every sheep in the flock, and COM
plete 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 suit
able flock book and the record entered
from year to year. Such data is Of in
estimable value in culling out the infe-
rior sheep and in breeding up the flock.
With the natural instincts of shep-
herd, good start and careful study of
the needs and habits of his flock, sue
cess in the sheep business on the hills
Of West Virginia is assured.
T. C. ATKESON,
College of Agriculture, West Virginia
University.