278 MANAGEMENT AND FEEDING OF SHEEP 



not a unit with reference to this question. This applies 

 not only to sheep in the fat classes, but also to those in 

 the breeding classes. 



The contention is frequently made that animals in 

 the fat classes should be brought to that degree of finish 

 only that will best fit the carcass for profitable disposal 

 on the block. This would mean, though differently ex- 

 pressed, that the animal capable of winning alive should 

 also win out in the dead meat class. This as a theory is 

 excellent, but in practice the winnings of the animals 

 when alive seldom correspond with the winnings in the 

 carcass or dead meat classes. It is not easy to give the 

 reasons why it is so, but it is probably true that in the 

 live classes the unwritten standard for judging animals 

 alive calls for the highest perfection of development and 

 finish attainable that does no violence to symmetry, good 

 firm handling and an easy gait, while the unwritten stand- 

 ard for judging dead calls for a carcass that will sell for 

 the highest price to the consumer. Such finish in the 

 living animal is always, or nearly always, beyond the de- 

 gree of finish in the carcass that exactly meets the de- 

 mands of the consumer. 



The further contention is frequently made that when 

 sheep are shown in the breeding classes they should not 

 come into the ring in higher finish than is consonant with 

 good and regular breeding. This also sounds well in 

 theory, but the fact remains that the present standard for 

 judging calls for a higher degree of finish in the animals 

 than is compatible with the very best results to be ob- 

 tained in breeding. It follows, therefore, that animals 

 which stand the best chance for winning in the show 

 rings will not be the best breeders, and vice versa. 



But whether sheep are shown in the fat or breeding 

 classes, there is a degree of finish which if passed will 

 hold them back from highest honors in the ring. The in- 

 dications of over-finish include: (i) A soft and flabby 

 condition of the flesh on certain parts of the body, espe- 



