Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-10-10

to adopt this breed since the lambs
can be marked in a uniform lot.
Rams can also be exchanged with
the neighbors. Georgia seems to be
best to select a ram Of one of the
Down" breeds shropshire Down,
Hampshire Down and Southdown)
for north Georgia. They produce
both mutton and wool. Some Sec
tons Of south Georgia may be best
adapted to the Rommey Marsh. This
breed is particularly we'll suited to
lew. wet lands.
Mature Shropshire rams should
weigh upwards of 225 pounds. The
distinctive feature Of this breed is
the bullet-like head, well-wooled
down over the face. The wool should
also be we'll carried down to the pas
terms of the hind legs. The Shrop-
shire has stronger, more massive
features, averages some Is to 20
pounds more in weight at maturity.
has a darker brown face, longer
though less dense wool than the
Southdown.
On the other hand, the Southdown
is often spoke of as most nearly APP
preaching the ideal mutton type. It's
breeders claim the best quality of
meat.
The Hampshire is the larger and
more massive in appearance Of head
than either Of the above breeds.
Hampshires average about 40
pounds heavier than Shropshires at
maturity, and because Of this added
weight are quite popular for produc-
ing early lambs. They can be dis.
tiEguished from the Shropshire by
the longer, more pendant ears, the
distinctly Roman nose and the dark.
er face. The wool over the face is
not so profuse nor does it extend
down over the legs so far. The
fleece is slightly shorter than that of
the Shropshire.
What ever breed Of ram Is selected
for use on grade ewes should be
strong in constitution, bold and mas
culine in appearance, Of straight
lines, well fleshed in the regions Of
The wool should be dense and of
type to the breed he represents.
A yearling or two-year-old ram
should be purchased if possible. An
early, well grown ram lamb can be
put to light service. However, if
used extensively his growth will be
interrupted.
It is best to purchase the ram dur.
ing the early part of July so that he
can become acclimated to his sur
roundings before the first Of August
when the breeding season should be-
gin.
One ram should be purchased for
every IS mature ewes. Eve lambs
should not be bred.
The rams should be purchased
from reliable breeder. 1t should
be kpet in mind that the lowest pric-
ed ram is not always the cheapest.
A few sheep raisers Of Georgia have
started creditable purebred flocks.
There are also many good breeders
Of all the breeds in Tennessee, Ken
lucky and Illinois and other states.
1t is advisable for the prospective
purchaser to get in touch with the
agricultural college or the breed
association at time of purchase.
Sheep, unlike most other kinds OF
1--we stock, come in heat, but at a
certain season Of the year-Iate
summer and fall. The CESSATION pc.
riod in sheep is approximately lat
days, the time varying slightly in
individuals and in the breeds. . A
eve bred in the middle of August
will drop her lamb about the middle
Of January.
Often it is necessary to change
the ewes to more luxuriant past
ture, such as clover or rape, or else
to feed them small ration of grain
for about two weeks before they are
to be bred, to induce them to come
in heat earlier. Ewes should be
gaining in flesh at time of mating.
This is known among sheep men as
flushing"
Just previous to the time that the
ram is turned in with the ewes all
long wool should be trimmed on the
belly and all the ewes should be
trimmed around the dock. This will
aid materially in getting a uniform
drop of lambs.
This is also a most convenient
time to notice the hoofs of the
sheep. If long, they should be
trimmed with a knife or a pair of
pruning shears. If the hoof is dry
and brittle, it may be advisable to
postpone this work until after some
rainy spell, but it should not be
neglected.
An approximate breeding date can
be kept on the ewes by daubing some
marking fluid every two days on
the right side of the brisket of the
ram for the first two weeks and
then on the left side the following
two weeks. Paint should not be
used, since it is very difficult to get
it out Of the wool.
There is q knack in handling
sheep with the least excitement and
trouble. Handle them quietly and
slowly. A sheep should never be