THE JUDGING OF SHEEP 



197 



should pass the left hand under the neck and grasp the right 

 forearm. Then reach forward and under the sheep with the 

 right hand and grasp the right hind leg at the hock; by a 

 slight pull of the right hand, and a push of the body against 

 the sheep, the animal will naturally swing down upon its 

 rump. When in this position, the sheep is held with the left 

 hand, with the sheep's back resting against the holder's 

 knees. This operation becomes easy with a little practice. 

 How to study the sheep. During much of the year, 

 except for a short time after shearing, perhaps, the bodies 

 of sheep are covered with wool. This varies greatly in 

 length, but is frequently 3^ to 4 inches long. With this 

 covering of wool, it is impossible to judge the merits of the 

 animal, except with the assistance of the hands ; for the fleece 

 covers defects that may be felt, but not so readily seen. Men 

 who exhibit sheep usually trim the wool, or block it out, as it 

 is termed, so as to make the animal look very symmetrical 

 and attractive. While one 

 should survey the general 

 appearance of the sheep, as 

 in the case of other animals, 

 the use of the hands is an 

 added necessity. While ex- 

 amining a mutton sheep, 

 one should keep the fingers 

 of each hand close together, 

 and then press them flat 

 on the wool, not allowing 

 single fingers to stick into 

 the fleece. It is important to 

 prevent the entrance of dirt, not to open the fleece, except 

 at places where it naturally parts or breaks between two 

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



Fig. 121. Studying the thickness 

 of flesh over the back. Photograph 

 by the author. 



