THE JUDGING OF SHEEP 



363 



to the legs, and the general under covering, are essential. 

 This requires placing the sheep on the rump. This position 

 allows not only the wool covering to be studied, but the full- 

 ness of breast and the condition of the feet may also be 

 noted. In the examination of the fine-wool fleece, look for 

 a light-colored yolk that should be evenly distributed through- 

 out the fleece. Quite often the yolk will accumulate in 

 spots or streaks, giving an uneven character to its dis- 

 tribution. This feature is most likely to happen with fleeces 

 containing a large amount of yolk. 



The score card for the Delaine or Class C Merino is here- 

 with given on 

 page 364, and 

 contains the scale 

 of points that 

 can be most com- 

 monly used with 

 fine- wool sheep. 



In judging 

 this type one 

 must consider 

 the form as ap- 

 proaching very 

 closely to that of 

 the ideal mutton 

 sheep. The fact is that the C type is a general-purpose Merino, 

 with mutton an important feature. Yet one need not ex- 

 pect to find as much thickness of chest, breadth of back, 

 fullness of quarter, or covering of flesh, as with a Southdown 

 or other more highly developed mutton breed. 



Things to emphasize in a study of the Class C type. 



1. The head should be short and broad at forehead, with 

 a slight dish of face in the ewes, and a fullness of nose 

 with the rams. Slight wrinkles often occur over the 

 nose, which should be covered with fine, silky hair. 



Figure 161. Inspecting the wool on the side, 

 graph by the author. 



Photo- 



