124 FINE WOOL SHEEP HUSBAlSTDKY. 



the direction of lines drawn from the tail to the 

 stifle. Gentle corrugations over the body, which can 

 be pulled smooth in shearing, are also tolerated. 



Fleece. Wool long enough to do up in the fleece 

 is not desirable on the nose under the eyes,* or on 

 the legs below the knees and hocks, though a thick 

 coat of shortish wool on the latter, and particularly 

 on the hind legs, is regarded as a good point. The 

 arm-pits and most of the base of the scrotum must 

 necessarily be bare ; but these cavities should be as 

 small as the freedom of movement permits ; and all 



* Long wool on the nose under the eyes is, like the preceding, a 

 nuisance, on account of the obstruction which it offers to the sight. I 

 have several sheep which would become totally blind at least twice a 

 year, by the wool closing over their eyes, if it was not cut away. And 

 long before it thus closes over, the sheep can only see laterally, so that 

 they can be closely approached in front or rear, by man or dog walk- 

 ing noiselessly on the grass, or amidst the other noises of the barn- 

 yard. When they at last discover the approaching body so near them, 

 they bound away in an agony of fright even from their familiar 

 keeper. This obstruction of the sight is therefore very destructive to 

 the quietness and docility which should characterize a well managed 

 flock. And such sheep do nqf do as well in the winter, unless the 

 wool is repeatedly clipped from around their eyes, because their com- 

 panions are constantly taking advantage of them at rack and trough. 

 Let us have no such "fancy" monstrosities as this and the preceding 

 inflicted on our valuable American flocks. But a good foretop is justly 

 regarded as a fine point. It should be of good length, dense, and the 

 wool stand at right angles to the forehead. It should descend in a 

 curve on the nose a little below the line of the eyes, circle round the 

 eyes at just sufficient distance not to obstruct the sight, and join the 

 wool on the cheeks and upper part of the neck, without break or 

 opening. 



I have omitted speaking of the ears. They should be small, coated 

 with thick, soft, mossy hair, about half way to the roots, so asjo give 

 them a feeling of thickness and softness ; and the remainder of the 

 outer surface should be covered with wool. A thin, hard, and espe- 

 cially a naked ear, is highly objectionable. 



