THE JUDGING OF SHEEP 361 



thickness of muscle, fullness of twist, and size of leg. 



13. Place the left hand on the rump at tail and right hand 

 between the thighs at the twist, and estimate the 

 depth of hind quarters. 



14. With the palms of the hands facing each other, press 

 against the outside of thighs, to determine whether or 

 not the hind parts are thick. 



15. Step back a few feet and notice position of hocks and 

 placing of hind legs and feet. 



16. From one side, view position of legs and feet. 



In the examination of fat mutton sheep, no great em- 

 phasis is placed on the covering and kind of wool. The 

 butcher values the wool, but, in buying, it receives slight at- 



Figure 160. Three types of Merinoes, (a) on right, (b) in center and (.c) on 

 left. Photograph by author. 



tention. In the show ring, most mutton judges examine the 

 wool of fat sheep scarcely at all. If judging breeds, then 

 the wool must be examined as well as the frame and cover- 

 ing of flesh. Nine points are allowed wool in the following 

 score card for fat sheep of the mutton type. 



The method of judging fine-wool sheep is somewhat dif- 

 ferent from that of the mutton type. In the case of classes 

 A and B, the hands are scarcely used, excepting to part and 

 inspect the wool on different parts of the body. In other 

 words, the hand serves only in studying the fleece. In ex- 



