Show POINTS OF BREEDING SHEEP In Selection of Stock Consider Qualities Qualities Quail Quail- ties the Market Demands for Mutton and Wool Prepared by the United States Department Department Department Depart Depart- ment of Agriculture A Ic While all atI breeds have the general form and find characters of the type In which they are classed all purebred sheep possess certain distinguishing features which are arc Inherent in the breed and which receive the attention of breeders These breed characters may have little value in themselves yet they are a mark of breeding and give assurance that the animals will breed true to type Included in such breed characteristics are such points i as size color markings presence or absence of horns and peculiarity of shape These differences make It essential es es- es- es for the different breeds to have different score cards or standards of excellence which give consideration to these points If one Is selecting purebred purebred purebred pure pure- bred sheep for breeding purposes he must know the breed t type pe as represented by the excellence for the breed Score cards for the leading breeds may be obtained from the secretaries of the breed associations listed In Farmers Farmers' Bulletin Breeds of Sheep for the Farm Whether one la is breeding purebred sheep or Is engaged In grading up a common flock in the selection sel of breedIng breed- breed breeding Ing lag stock he should consider the qualities qualities quail quail- ties the market demands deman s for wool and mutton In addition to the application of market and breed standards stock Intended for breeding should be considered considered considered consid consid- ered from the point of view of prepotency prepotency prepotency prepo prepo- tency In transmitting their good features features features fea fea- tures and prolificacy in reproduction These qualities are Indicated by what Is known n as sex character To be a long-lived long regular and pre pre- potent breeder the ewe must have a strong constitution and show a strong maternal nature and present a feminine feminine feminine femi femi- The ewe should nine appearance have finer features about the tIle head and anu anda anun a n more slender neck than the ram ram- She should have plenty of ot room for f I II I s 's 4 iJ I t Yearling Dorset Ram the growth and developing fetus To provide well for early maturing lambs she should give an abundance of milk Breeding ewes should never be excessively excessively fat as they are arc so often In the tho show ring The ram should be purebred and show breed character and quality in strong form because It Is ia largely through him that Improvement Is secured Secured secured se se- cured for the flock To be the ram also must show a good deal of sex character that Is there should be no doubt at Rt first glance that he lie Is a ram He should have greater size than the ewe and a decidedly masculine appearance appearance ap lip burliness burliness burli burli- Indicated by a general ness of the head with a thickness La of n ru k k giving a n suggestion of or massive massive- ness He should have every Indication of boldness vim im and vigor as denoted by a brisk movement and a n bold energetic energetic energetic ener ener- getic look through a bright clear eye A breeding ram should not be excessively excessively excessively fat tat yet he should at all times be kept In good condition |