358 



A STUDY OF FARM ANIMALS 



single fingers to stick into the fleece. In order to pre- 

 vent the entrance of dirt, do not open the fleece, except 

 at places where it naturally parts or breaks between two 

 locks. The back wool, especially, should be kept closed. 

 With the fingers one may press the wool firmly enough to 

 feel the flesh below, to determine the extent and uniformity 

 of fattening or covering over the frame, and whether the 

 wool hides defects of conformation, such as narrow back, 

 droopy rump, etc. Practice, of course, enables one in time 

 to use the hands with much freedom, without detriment to 

 the fleece, but inexperienced persons should be very careful 

 not to disturb the wool. The skin of a sheep should be of 

 , . a healthy pink color. It is as- 

 sumed that this color indicates 

 the animal to be in fine physi- 

 cal condition ; but some breeds 

 that are noted feeders, like the 

 Shropshire and Oxford, have 

 dark-colored skins oftentimes, 

 and so it may be said that 

 we do not know the real signif- 

 icance of skin color. Yet the 

 skin in any case should look 

 clean and healthy, and not pale 

 and bloodless. 



The age of the sheep is easily determined up to four or 

 five years. A short time after birth, the lamb has in the 

 front of the lower jaw eight small, narrow teeth, which are 

 commonly called the milk teeth. The front part of the 

 upper jaw has no teeth, but simply a tough, fleshy pad. 

 When about 12 months old, the two middle milk teeth drop 

 out, and two larger, permanent teeth occupy the place. At 

 about 24 months, two more teeth push out two milk teeth, 

 one on each side of the two that came in at 12 months. At 

 36 months two more come in, and at 48 months the corner 



Figure 156. Judging sheep, 

 covering over the back, 

 graph by the author. 



Feeling 

 Photo- 



