Art and Method of Judging Sheep. 231 



of vigor and prepotency. The color of the face of 

 both ram and ewe and the covering of wool must 

 be in compliance with the standard of each indi- 

 vidual breed. When examining the head, first of 

 all, the age of the sheep in the ring should be de- 

 termined, and if there is one that is older or young- 

 er than the class calls for, it must be disregarded. 

 The method of determining the age is shown on 

 page 31. The quality of the sheep may also be 

 noted at this time by either the fine and silky or 

 the coarse hair growing on the sheep's nose. 



WATCH FOR HORNS OR A GOITRE. 



In judging sheep, especially rams of the breeds 

 which should be free from horns or stubs of horns, 

 the judge may easily determine this fact by plac- 

 ing two fingers of the right hand on the poll of the 

 head as shown in Figure 68. Often these stubs of 

 horns are hidden in the wool which has grown 

 over them so that they are not visible to the eye. 

 Stubs are seldom found on ewes. By placing the 

 left hand on the sheep's throat it may be deter- 

 mined whether the sheep has a goitre. If the ram 

 or ewe is found to have a noticeable goitre, the 

 sheep may be disqualified. It is a serious matter 

 to use a ram or ewe for breeding that has such a 



