234 MODERN SHEEP: BREEDS AND MANAGEMENT. 



added, and allowed to remain there until the suds are cool, after 

 which they should be thoroughly rinsed. Next they should be 

 tacked, wool side down, to some smooth surface, such as the sidb 

 of a building, and scraped with a dull knife until smooth, aftei 

 which they should be scoured with pumice stone until they become 

 soft and pliable. The next thing to do is to trim them to the 

 desired shape and then tack them on to some smooth surface again, 

 wool side out. The wool should be thoroughly carded and combed, 

 and then brushed with a stiff brush until it is very smooth, when 

 it will be ready for dyeing. A suitable dye for this purpose, with 

 full directions as to use, can be purchased at almost any general 

 store. Cords should be fastened to each corner of the rug so that 

 it may be worked backwards and forwards in the dye until the 

 desired shade has been produced. It should then be rinsed and 

 hung in the shade to dry. 



IMPORTING. 



Unless those desirous of making importations have unlimited 

 time at their disposal, it is much better for them to place their 

 orders through some reliable exporting commission house or with 

 parties who make annual visits to England and other countries 

 for the purpose of bringing over such sheep as their customers 

 require. Of course the first thing to consider is the reliability of 

 the firm and their ability as judges of the breeds they handle. 

 There is a great de.al more trouble connected with importing a 

 small consignment of sheep into the country than many may im- 

 agine, by the time the importer has traveled over the country and 

 visited the different flocks and shows and got mixed up with ship- 

 ping companies, quarantine stations, railroad companies, etc. 



THE FLEECE. 



The finest and most valuable wool is always found on the 

 shoulders of the sheep. This should be compared to that on the 

 thigh, where kemp and the poorer qualities of the fleece are found. 

 Fineness and density are the first considerations of the finewool 

 and the Down breeds of sheep; next length of staple is to be con- 

 sidered. 



PEDIGREE AND REGISTERING. 



The pedigree of a sheep is a record or certificate showing its 

 lineage or parentage for one or several generations back. The 

 majority of record associations ask that all sheep registered trace 

 to imported stock on both sides. Imported sheep may be registered 

 in the majority of American sheep breeders 7 associations if they 

 are from flocks registered in the country from which they originated. 



