SELECTING THE RAM.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1271, 28 October 1911, Page 15

SELECTING THE RAM.

Tho following general rules to guide tho fanner in the important matter of selecting his rams are laid down by Air. Leo. C. Reynolds, an American writer :—"ln tho first place, don't wait until the best of the ram lambs have been sold before getting into tho market to mako a purchase. If you are first to make a choice, so much the better, as you then have an opportunity to select a ram that moots all requirements. It is far better to bo five months ahead than one day late. It is advisable to take special pains to investigate the breeding of both siro and dam of tho ram you intend to purchase. 11 is seldom, indeed, that a ram lamb is better than its parents. If you find in t'.ie parents the desirable characteristics you wish embodied in your flock header, tiicn you are reasonably safe in making a purchase. Don't trust to hope that a ram lamb will develop into the kind of an animal you desire; have plenty of evXenco or leave him alone. Give equally as much attention to the dam of tho ram lamb as the sire, as it is infrequent that the progeny is better than its mother. The mother should have a wide faco, large but reiinert muzzle, with full and open' nostrils. Her body should bo strong iu bone and be heavily muscled. She should be a deep milker, as this qualityis of importance in perpetuating good milkTng qualities in tho ilock. It is very seldom that you find a strong, brave, robust ram lamb produced by a mother low in vitality and constitutional development. The mother, from every standpoint, should show evidence of strong femininity. Beware of the mother that is covered with fat, as a multitude of faults may bo therein hidden."