18 METHODS OF JUDGING. 



Besides observing the width in these parts, the degree 

 to which the flesh fills out here is also noted, and the depth 

 and filling of the twist should also be looked to. 



After finishing the general survey of the animal, which 

 should be a thorough one, calculated to give one a clear idea 

 of the form, constitution and breed type of the animal, the 

 judge approaches the shoulder, feels the covering of the 

 shoulder, notices its compactness on top, then feels the cov- 

 ering of crops, back, and loin. (Fig. 6.) He next observes 

 the covering of the ribs, and the filling of the flank; and 

 while noticing the depth of flesh over these parts, he also 

 determines, by testing between the thumb and fingers, the 

 pliability and thickness of the skin and the softness of the 

 hair. (Fig. 7.)" Good handling quality as exemplified in 

 sappy, pliable skin and fine, silky hair, is important as an 

 indication of the good thrift of the animal, and also foretells 

 its future progress. 



In handling the animal the hand should be outspread, 

 and the flesh should appear firm yet mellow to the touch in 

 well fattened animals. The depth of the loin is best taken 

 as shown in accompanying photograph. (Fig. 7 No. 1.) 



Soft flabby places are sometimes found in animals that 

 have been long on feed, and these indicate that only fat is 

 present, or that the fat is not intermixed with sufficient mus- 

 cular tissue to hold the firmness desired. This soft condition 

 of flesh invariably reveals itself first at the foreflank, and 

 later on the crops and center of loins. Patchiness rolls or 

 lumps of fat on the ribs, or more frequently at the tail head 

 is objectionable, as it indicates that the fat is not well dis- 

 tributed through the muscles of these portions of the body. 

 Bareness on the ribs or loin is a condition too often found, 

 and a fault in either fat or breeding stock, as it reduces the 

 proportionate amount of meat to carcass. 



Having finished the inspection of the animal, the judge 

 steps back, makes a final brief survey, mentally sums up the 

 animal's merits and deficiencies and then passes on to the 

 next, to proceed in a similar manner. In this way he goes 

 over the whole class of animals, though there are invariably 

 a number that are so evidently lacking in merit, as compared 

 to the best, as to require but a brief examination. 



