lo Aug., 1909.] '^Devil's Grip'' m Merino Sheep. 507 



back. It varies from two to eight inches in length, and from half an inch 

 to an inch in width, and from a dark thin line of yolk on the surface to 

 an inch in depth. In bad cases the wool is without body and character. 



With merino sheep there are several other defects more serious than 

 devil's grip, from a yield per head point of view, but it (devil's grip) is one 

 of the greatest eyesores. The appearance of it creates a bad impression, 

 and in breeding stud sheep for sale, one should work with the view of pro- 

 ducing a good first impression. Devil's grip is found more in merinoes 

 than in the mutton breeds. 



In all our w'ool breeds we find a close relationship between flesh and 

 wool. Wool grows best on sheep in good store condition — sheep that are 

 evenly fed throughout the year, and are neither too poor nor too fat at any 

 time. With some sheep, even when in this ideal condition for wool growing, 

 irregularities and weaknesses in the fleece, such as dead yolk patches on 

 the wither, open wasty patches, anB the fault at present under discussion, 

 are found. Some of the best constitutioned sheep show devil's grip; in 

 fact, it is more prevalent in sheep with loose open shoulder blades than 

 in the narrow sharp withered type. 



Grip is mostly seen in old breeding ewes, and is more prevalent in 

 some seasons than in others; particularly is this the case when there is 

 a bad spring. It is possible for a sheep that is liberally fed on green 

 succulent fodder to show no sign of grip externally on the fleece after 

 being shorn ; vet, if not so well treated off shears, to show it badly the 

 following year. On the other hand, sheep that cannot be made to show 

 it under any treatment are met with. It is least noticeable on fleshy, 

 level, well-coupled sheep. The nearer the surface, and the more promi- 

 nent the shoulder blades, the more it is seen, especially if the sheep are 

 weak immediately behind the shoulder blades. Those having the loins 

 running full and strong right into and level with the shoulder blades, are 

 the least subject to it. Some sheep will cut flcshv chops right into the 

 shoulder blades. Others cannot be cut within three or four inches ; and 

 it is just here (where the best quality of chops cannot be cut), that devil's 

 grip is seen in the fleece. 



But there are other factors. The movement of such shoulders in walk- 

 ing directs the yolk. Yolk always works into hollows, such as between 

 folds, and this to a certain extent accounts for extra yolk accumulating. 

 There is a depression, and in early summer, when the warrr.th causes the 

 yolk to melt, it rises to the surface, and the dust collects and forms a 

 black tip. Where the most yolk accumulates and rises to the surface, 

 there the most dust will be collected and retained, thus showing the darker 

 line. 



It is between the higher level caused by prominent shoulder blades, and 

 the lower level of the first rib, that the mark called devil's grip appears. 

 With sheep in low condition, showing grip badly, a jelly-like secretion 

 will be found under this spot. This variation of flesh is not the cause 

 of the yolk being there, but it is the cause of the w'ant of body and 

 character in the wool immediatelv over it. 



Extremely hot and dusty climates, and extremelv cold and wet ones, 

 will alter the outward colour of gi'ip, but in bad cases the want of body 

 and character in the wool are the same in either climate. Thin and wasty 

 parts in the fleece, or unevenness of covering (not necessarily unevenne.'S 

 of fitre or variations in grade) lare due to unevenness of flesh below it. 

 Variations in grade, or coarser parts found in the fleece, are mostlv due 

 to the coarse flesh on which it grows. 



