LECTURE XLVII. 



JUDGING SHEEP. 



Method of Procedure. In judging any class of live stock, 

 system is needed. But especially is it required in the handling 

 of sheep where so many different points have to be noted 

 and passed upon. Then, too, the number in a class is often- 

 times large and the judge working without system would find 

 himself at a loss in remembering the merits and demerits 

 of the different sheep examined. 



It is a good plan to have sheep, if in the breeding or feed- 

 ing classes, moved about a little. In so doing the judge has 

 an opportunity of noticing the style, as well as the general 

 type and vigor of the animals, together with any defects that 

 may happen to exist in carriage of body and action of feet and 

 legs. A weakness of back, too, that might otherwise be con- 

 cealed will be revealed oftentimes. During this performance 

 of the animals the judge forms a pretty good estimation of 

 them, which he afterwards verifies with his hand and a closer 

 examination with his eye. They are then lined up and the 

 judge proceeds to handle the sheep, beginning at its head. 

 Every motion of the judge should be to a purpose. With 

 thumb and forefinger of one hand he presses down the lower 

 lip of the sheep, approximating its age, and, at the same time, 

 noticing the formation and length of jaws. He then notices 

 the formation and wool covering of head, observing the bright- 

 ness and expression of the eye, size, shape and covering of 

 the ear, as well as want of horns in hornless breeds. By this 

 time he has formed some notion of the quality of the animals. 



With both hands pressed tightly around the neck he ascer- 

 tains its thickness, depth and gradual enlargement, from the 

 head to the shoulder, and marks the smooth even blending 

 of the neck vein with shoulder, or otherwise, as the case 

 may be. With fingers close together and hand held nearly 

 flat, he handles the sheep from the shoulder all along the 

 back to tail head. In doing this he lowers the tips of the 



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