16 FITTING SHEEP 



3. delicate constitution. This is amply proven by the fact 

 that the most beautiful pink skin of the most robust, healthy 

 animal will fade and assume a dull, sickly, pale hue when 

 -attacked with disease; therefore, we may assume that a pink 

 skin is a safe criterion of health. 



What is a pink skin? This question is more easily asked 

 than answered. When we speak of a pink skin as pertaining 

 to sheep we understand it to be a pure soft pink, pure as the 

 pinkest shade of color to be found in the whole list of out' 

 Flora. Some sheep, even those that have undergone the 

 ordeal of fitting, are the possessors of skins that are so dark 

 in color that they cannot with any degree of truth be classed 

 as pink, while on the other hand some are possessors of skins 

 either so pale or so spotted that neither can successfully lay 

 claim as owners of pink skins. Feeding and general treat- 

 ment will considerably affect the hue or shade of the skin. 



The color of the skin is sometimes heightened by high 

 feeding, while poor treatment will give it a decidedly pale 

 and "off" appearance. 



The intending exhibitor should well consider the character 

 of the animal's skin if his ambition and hopes are to be real- 

 ized in the show-ring. In some breeds of sheep imperfect 

 skins are more common than in others. The writer has al- 

 ways found that Dorsets when in good health carry a pink 

 skin to a greater degree of perfection than any other breed 

 lie has yet handled. 



Feeding. 



The successful feeding of show animals is an art in which 

 very few, comparatively, can be said to excel. It is not a 

 difficult matter to fatten sheep, usually, but to place an 



