FOR SHOW RING AND MARKET. 9 



interesting and valuable object lessons procurable to the 

 youthful aspirant to fame in the show-ring. 



Judgment. 



It is among the thoughtful, patient and observant shep- 

 herds that we find our best judges of sheep. It requires con- 

 stant handling of a breed to become thoroughly acquainted 

 with the true exhibition points, qualities and merits of a 

 breed. In these days of rapid progress, fashion asserts her 

 sway, even on subjects pertaining to shepherding. The type 

 of some of our leading mutton breeds of sheep has undergone 

 a decidedly marked change and great improvement during 

 the past ten years; therefore, it can be easily understood why 

 to become a really expert judge of a breed it requires 

 thought, observation, and the constant handling and study- 

 ing of a breed to thoroughly understand the true type that 

 fashion dictates as being the correct one of to-day. Whilst 

 in fat stock contests the mutton conformation of the animal 

 is the leading consideration, in breed contests the embellish- 

 ments that must accompany true mutton form in the make- 

 up of a typical show animal must be given due consideration. 

 It is well for the novice to hold this fact in view, and if he is 

 not satisfied in himself that he is capable of making judicious 

 selections of show stock, he should seek aid from the many 

 reliable sources this country admits of. 



Quite often judges are called upon and accept the respon- 

 sibility of passing judgment upon exhibits of the various 

 breeds of sheep, the character and general conformation 

 of which they cannot be said to be conversant with. Although 

 they may conscientiously do the best their judgment dictates, 



