BREEDING FOR TYPE.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 793, 16 April 1910, Page 8

BREEDING FOR TYPE.

;-,:.,50K8' SOUND AI37|CE. ' : A striking article on. the best methods of breeding stud' sheep' true' to typo-ap-pears :inytlxe'."American-Sheep : Breeder" ..for February. It is .written by Mr. D..K. Bell, 'a practical sheepman in: tho ; States, and, though reference is made particu,larly:to toe merino, what Mr. Bell says . nolds.. gopdi of all. breeds.",-.:..-/ :.''Breeding fer type" Mr. Bell defines ■.as .mating the "sexes so 'tlrnt. the- offspring shall tare the same characteristicsin coaformstion, styrle,' and general ap.Pearance as exists in both sire and dam. ■•ihe hrst thingto do -is to select- the ,type you wish to reproduce, and then tho awe branch of ..tlock. . ]ie careful that weirr ancestors • as far back • as '.catf be : traced possess the desired qualities. This is-.important if you wish to avoid variations' in'the- offspring, for different' forms and types in the ancestors will inevitably leappeaT. ; Alter - selecting . the ewe' flock choose the- ranv, Ho should be one- that will jieet all the good qualities of the ewes, biit more intense in type. His breeding should.biiupoii.the same lines as that oi the ewes,, and his ancestors should carry, in;, their 'pedigrees the characteristics' -..which it is ' desired-' to perpetuate. • >■ A good. individual not supported' by a - satis- ' factory-'pedigree .is of no-use. If his' blood lines are ; defective," the . defects we: certain to appear, in his produce. The paying, that the ram is half the flock is truo.in a' sense. . But if the ewes are - more'.intensely! bred in typo than the Tarn, his share will .bo less than half,.as they_ will transmit'more of • their "good qualities. Do not dispose ,of ewes that >re; producing the-lambs you desire. They have an unlimited value in your flock. ' Mr.. Bell says ke is a firm believer in line breeding—that is, mating sexes of iho same breeding, but having different immediate ancestors and bred with the eamo objects in view. In this way he believes the best results are secured, and uniformity of\type maintained.. Ho does not concur with those who, maintain: that close in and in-breeding produces the best, type. 1 it is true that ' it is. the surest 1 and quickest way ef establishing uniformity, and inthe hands of a skilled breeder it may be continued successfully for several 'generations.-. Some of the best animals that Jlr. Bell -has ever Been-weiß- closely : in-bred. The trouble is-that there' are defects in every' strain, and there is no surer way to perpetuate end establish these than by closely in' and in-breeding. '.. ;,.-••• The., tendency: of all domestic sheep is to '■ degenerate, and carelessness and indifference in- selecting sires and disregarding types .have, in- two or cresses,' brought low many flpeks that in years gone by were ameag the best in America: Mr. Bell has no patience with.those who try .to improve their sheep and establish a type by making one or : two violent crosses. No. doubt many, of : the olf-Bpring-ofthe first,cross will prove satisfactory, but only disappointment- awaits the breeder in his second and .third crosses. Two distinct elements are at work in the fiock,. and uneyennes3 is bound -.to result: : ■ . .-

_ Many-flocks havo not. been bred particularly to type, aai\ '.even those that lave, have in. their ancestors some characteristics and qualities not desired. Occasionally ." there will come among the offspring lanibs that inherit .'some'of these objectionable qualities, although fir > removed. Such animals should be eliminated, but before they are disposed of tho taj label' should be removed, so. as to prevent them from being used; by breedersvin>other:'purebred.flocks. ■ . - .. ■of v.a mixed ■ uneven flock will;.sbmetimes .procure .'a. lino ram to head it,;'"He wilLVpurchase a grand .individual™.pay "a l 7lugh -price,, aud then expeot.'the'-.raDi'to reproduce himself .'in the offspring.: This is a Herculean task, and;it is unfair to blame .tho ram.jf the results..are .unsatisfactory. ■.The- same animal in a .flock-where .the .owes, were carefully.,'bred : tp the' same'type would prove.''a! great -. success.' ■"' • .-"'■■-■ '. In- concluding his article, Mr.;.' Bell' says!' "No" doubt- you'"have realised that I consider, line breeding, coupled with the same,.qualities 'of type in both, sires and dams; and-.long. ptdigiees accompanied ; t?ith - good individuals, are the most essential things for successful sheep breeding. Another essential point is the care given, to the' flock, for after the' careful' breeding-of the' sheep, in order to.-obtain the best-results, tho. flock must be'-given ; the best of care, using all the improved methods now known for. health, '.together with all' the natural foods obtainable in winter as well as in summer. The'.young and growing part of :the flock should- be , developed , to •• its utmost - by ; using judgment in > care and feeding, for I know that you cannot:succeed and'obtain the / best results and maintain; the high; standard in .typo which you'are aiming, to produce unless you , , d 0."... ".....,:■