Essay on Sheep » 73 



sessing as much of the Merino blood as you can 

 conveniently aiford to purchase; let us suppose 

 him to be halt-blooded. In choosing him, be 

 particularly attentive to his form and size, that 

 you may not diminish, but rather add to the 

 beauty of your flock. Let him be broad in 

 the chine and loins, deep in the carcase, the 

 back straight and neither arched or swayed ; the 

 ribs set out so as to afford room for a large belly 

 well covered with wool, the forehead broad, 

 the eyes lively (for a heavy eye is the mark of 

 a diseased sheep), the testicles large, and if 

 covered with wool it will be an evidence of his 

 taking after his sire; let him be strong, close 

 knit, and active. To judge of his vigour, take 

 him by the hind legs, and observe if he strug- 

 gles with force, or makes but a feeble resist- 

 ance. Next, as the most essential point, exa- 

 mine his wool; if it is as fine as you can expect 

 in a sheep of his grade; if it is thick, close, 

 and greasy, full of yoke, and the breast and 

 loins also well covered with wool, you may rely 

 upon his goodness. Upon the thighs of a sheep 

 of this grade you must expect to find more or 

 less coarse wool; if, however, you have the 

 means of choosing, take one that has least of 

 it. I should prefer making my stock gradually 

 in this way, out of well-formed, good-sized 



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