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Show lots of ewes at ninety cents and one dollar per head-until coupled with his own accumulated ewes, he had a total of 2100 head in his starting flock. In later years he built it up to 3000 head and maintained it at or near that number most of the time. THE TURN OF THE TRAIL Always and forever since the world began there has been the shepherd-alone with his flock under the dome of stars. Since Biblical times the solitude of the silent hills has molded the shepherd. Moving slowly along with the seasons across the grassland or the brushland, he has used some of his time to think things out. His world has been one of the mute herd and the unpredictable elements. Presumably, an inexperienced young herder of sheep beginning his life's work in 1885 had no pre-vision of himself becoming a successful breeder of purebred Rambouillet sheep in his middle and late years-but there was an all-important connection. As an industrious young boy John K's willingness to work with the challenges that came his way enabled him to learn valuable lessons. His very attitude made it possible for him to assume greater objectives toward which to aim. And as one level of acheivement was reached another reared its head a bit higher. Uncomplainingly he fulfilled the tiresome tasks incident to his days, knowing deep within himself that they were necessary to his learning. 54 |