Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-12-22

Contrary TO he idea OF many, the
care and management Of sheep is no
more difficult when understood, than
of any other domestic animals. Elk
cept for a short period during the
lanlbing season. when the greatest at
tention will be needed, the sheep may
run at large and require very little
attention of any kind.
Select the Right Kind Of Sheep.
After carefully studying the SUD-
iect from as many standpoints as pos.
sihe,' the selection of a breed of
sheep should be made. The d
should be to buy the best that is with
in one's means, and then by careful
Nv selecting, improve this stock to the
greatest extent possible. That is, ev-
cry breeder of any kind of live stock
should have his standard or ideas IN
mind, and continue to work toward
this.
For the beginner it would be found
advisable to stick close to the breed
that will apparently be best Suited to
the conditions under which they are
to be handled. The buying of ewes
will probably receive less attention in
most cases, than when a ram is to be
secured. However it would be adVis-
able to have the ewes as nearly uni
form in age and size as possible, and
the nearer they r pure breds, the
better. However, the greatest amount
of Improvement in a flock should be
expected from the, ram, and great
care should be- taken in his selection.
In selecting sheep it will be neces-
sary to have some idea of what points
should be considered in making a Sc
lection. The following is a rather con-
else outline of the proper method of
judging sheep.
How to Judge Sheep.
In making a careful examination
of a .sheep it is necessary to use the
hands considerably, as a skillful shep-
herd with a pair of shears a easily
/ trim an inferior sheep and make him
look like a YER good individual.
Therefore, the only safe way to get a
Of a sheep is to examine it carefully
with the hands. In starting the e
animation it is well to step in front
Of the sheep and first notice h breed
characteristics about the head, as tc
whether the face, is the right color
as to whether it is wooled owe the
face in the proper manner; also no.
tice whether it has horns or scurs, il
1t is a breed that is supposed to be
polled. Then by stepping to the side
place one hand on either side of the
4AOSn ~ ~ ~ 5SS AiAi AaVo Vi LII
connection of the neck with its heat
n also the neck on the body, anC
the filing of the shoulder vein. Many
sheep are inclined to rave a dip or
top OF the neck. This can easily b.
detected while the neck is being ex
.amined. BY placing n hand by tn,
fore leg and the other on top Of thu
shoulders. cit is quite easy to get :
close estimate of the depth of tn,
-Ahorts TA,n 1x,,1tH $h@ ho-lc 49, .sAh~,
side, notice the covering Of the Shout
ders and the fulness or spring of tn,
ribs just back of the shoulders. II
making these examinations, the fin
gers should be held tightly together
in order that the fleece may not b,
broken. The back can be easily ex
amined by placing the hand on tol
of the. shoulders, noticing covering a
that point. and then gradually draw
ing it back over the back. loin am
rump. This gives n a fairly correc
idea of the covering Of meat along tn,
back and as to whether or not tn,
back is swayed. The hands placed OF
either side just below the hips will
tell the width Of the loin, and tn
thickness. From this point the hand
should be carefully drawn along tn,
body to he end, to determine tn,
width of h rump. Many sheep ar
inclined to be packed behind, and i
the wool has beer trimmed or puffe,
in order to make them wider in thes
parts, it will be readily detected b,
drawing the hands over these parts
The length of the rump can be readi
ly detected by placing one hand at tn,
end OF. h body and the other Just il
front of the hips. The fulness OF tn,
hind leg and the fulness of the twis
should always be examined and II
making the examination one Shout,
be careful to get the hands, over tn,
wool or he may easily be deceived
The position of the legs, should ais,
be noted. as many sheep have ba,
feet or are crooked on their legs, es
specially as many of them are inclin
ed to be knock-kneed.
The fleece should be examined i,
W or three places. The best WOO
will be found growing in the region
over the heart or just back of tn,
shoulders, and poor wool will b,
found on the lower thigh. BY examin
Ing or opening the fleece in two O.
three. places, one gets an idea of tn,
uniformity Of the. fleece. In openin,
the. fleece. as in making the other ex
aminations, h fingers should be hell
close together, and after the fleece ha.
been opened Inc examined the hand
should. be gently rubbed over thes,
parts of the wool in order to close tn,
openings, SO that dirt and other for
telgn matter may not get into tn,
fleece. -.
Sheds and Fences for Sheep.
Before engaging in the handling O.