54 MANAGEMENT AND FEEDING OF SHEEP 



period of years ; hence to profit by such change it may be 

 necessary to change the breed from which sires are 

 chosen. Such change, however, should be modified by 

 the effect that it will have on mutton production when 

 that is an important consideration. Such change when 

 sought should come through the process of upgrading 

 rather than that of promiscuous crossing. That is, it 

 should come by choosing the successive sires from one 

 breed. Having decided upon the grade of wool sought, 

 every reasonable effort should be made to secure it in the 

 largest quantity attainable. 



The even distribution of wool over the body varies 

 somewhat in breeds, and it varies much in individuals of 

 the breed. Such distribution is secured in a high degree 

 in the various Merino types, in Shropshires among middle 

 wool breeds, and in Lincolns among long wool breeds. 

 Formerly Southdowns and Leicesters were occasionally 

 bare in the underline, especially as the age advanced, but 

 this defect in wool covering is being largely corrected in 

 breeding. 



The degree of the wool covering on the head and legs 

 is determined, first, by the breed, and second by the relative 

 importance attached to such covering. Viewed as an indica- 

 tion of correct breeding it is important, but viewed from 

 the standpoint of fancy, it has but little significance. When 

 it is carried to the extent of making a fancy point of 

 greater moment than a point of much practical impor- 

 tance, then it becomes decidedly adverse to production 

 of the highest type. 



Absolute evenness in the quality of the wool that 

 covers the sheep is unattainable. It is unattainable in 

 relation to length, to density and to the size of the fiber. 

 The wool on the underline and certain other parts of the 

 frame is never so long as on the sides and back. The 

 density of the wool is always greater, for instance, on the 

 back than on certain parts of the underline. The size of 

 the fiber is also usually greater on the outer thighs than 



