38 FITTING SHEEP 



times, on various occasions, before the subject under treat- 

 ment will appear in a polished and finished condition for 

 exhibition. 



Blanketing. 



The blanketing of show sheep has a two-fold purpose; the 

 one, that of keeping the fleece clean; the other, for making 

 the fleece compact and of a smooth, pleasing appearance. 

 At the shows we learn it answers for many other purposes,, 

 such as "keeping the flies off the sheep," and again, "for 

 keeping the sheep warm." When on a tour of the fairs it is 

 tlsual to keep the blankets on our sheep whilst on the cars, 

 and also at night in the pens in the show yard; in fact they 

 should be kept blanketed until after the premiums have been 

 awarded, when, of course, it may be supposed the public is 

 entitled to see them at their best advantage. By keeping 

 them blanketed, prior to being "passed upon," the visitors 

 to the show yard are prevented from disarranging the care- 

 fully dressed fleece of the animal, thereby preventing no little 

 annoyance to the shepherd. 



How Blankets are Made. 



Blankets may be made from a great variety of material. 

 Ducking makes a very neat and serviceable blanket. Burlap 

 makes a very serviceable blanket for home use, but a neater 

 material is usually preferred for use at the shows. For use in 

 the preparation of our exhibition animals at home a cheap- 

 easily made blanket may be made out of ordinary bran bags. 



The accompanying diagram, representing an ordinary bran 

 sack, will give my readers, I think, a fair idea of how it should 



