122 FINE WOOL SHEEP HUSBANDRY. 



the qualities of the fleece, &c., there is a difference 

 of opinion. The Germans are disposed to avoid too 

 great disparities in all particulars. 



Selection of Flocks. 



v 



Carcass. In a climate like ours, and under a 

 general system of sheep husbandry like ours, carcass 

 is unquestionably the first point to be regarded even 

 in the fine*wooled sheep because on the proper con- 

 stitution, or the proper structure and connection of 

 its parts, depends the health, vigor, and hardiness of 

 the animal ; and without these, all other qualities are 

 houses built on sand. Plump medium size, for the 

 breed or variety, is the most desirable one. The 

 body should be round and deep, not over long, and 

 both the head and neck short and thick. The back 

 should be straight and broad ; the bosom and buttock 

 full ; the legs decidedly short, well apart, straight 

 and strong, with heavy forearm and fulness in the 

 twist. This " pony-built" figure, as the farmers term 

 it, indicates hardiness, easiness of keep, and a predis- 

 position to take on flesh. 



Skin.. The skin should be of a rich, deep, rosy 

 color. The Spaniards ever justly regarded this a 

 point of much importance, as indicative of the fatten- 

 ing or easy-keeping properties of the animal, and of 

 a normal and healthy condition of the system. The 

 skin should be thinnish, mellow, elastic, and particu- 

 larly loose on "the carcass. A white skin, when the 

 animal is in health, or a tawny one y is rarely found 

 on a high bred Merino. A thick, stij, inelastic skin, 

 like that found on many badly bred French sheep, is 

 highly objectionable. 



