FOR SHOW RING AND MARKET. 137 



When it is intended that a sheep be shorn the "long" way, 

 or style, the wool is first removed from the head, the wool 

 on the throat is next opened, and the shearer then shears 

 from the windpipe toward the backbone, or verterbrae, 

 rather, of the neck, being very careful to make every line 

 parallel to each other. This process is continued until a 

 series of curves, or rings are made, extending from the head 

 to a point at or near the point of the shoulder blade. Hav- 

 ing proceeded thus far, the position of the sheep is reversed 

 and the wool removed from the other side of its neck and 

 shoulder. It is then laid down full length on its side and the 

 wool removed therefrom by a series of skillful, well-directed 

 movements of the shears, commencing at the shoulder and 

 continuing the operation to the stern in shearing the off- 

 side of the sheep, and vice versa, when shearing the near 

 side of same. As before intimated each line should be parallel 

 to each other and of the same width; this ensures a very 

 artistic and pretty effect. The manner of manipulating the 

 shears in this country differs somewhat from that adopted 

 by expert shearers in the Old Country. Instead of cutting 

 clear through the wool, as is usually done by shearers here, 

 the Englishman uses the shears much as would a lady in 

 cutting out a garment, the shears appearing as if continually 

 gnawing its way through the wool in the place of its being 

 cut entirely through at each clip of the shears. The English 

 mode of shearing not only assures straight, smooth, artistic 

 shearing, but reduces the chances of cutting the animal to a 

 minimum. 



In shearing a sheep in the "round way," as in the "long 

 way," it is first "bellied," and the fleece then removed by 

 shearing entirely around the subject, one-half or side at a 



