HANDLING THE SHEEP 93 



touching the various features assists in determining quality. In 

 judging rams of the hornless breeds, it is always advisable to place 

 the fingers in the horn holes to note whether there is any growth of 

 horn. Most judges practise parting the lips and looking at the 

 teeth for the purpose of estimating age. This is necessary even 

 though the teeth do not proximate age closely. While handling the 

 head it is a good thing to examine the eyes closely. 



(4) Fleece and Skin. After the conformation of the sheep has 

 been determined, the fleece and skin must be examined. Since the 

 best wool grows on the side of the shoulder or just behind it, the 

 fleece is first opened in that region. This should be done by laying 

 the hands down flat on the surface of the fleece and gently forcing 

 it to part so that the density, quality, color, luster, and condition of 

 the wool, 1 and the color of the skin can be noted (Fig. 57). 



Similar examination should be made at mid-side and on the 

 thighs in mutton breeds, and in wool breeds at the points mentioned 

 and wherever else the judge deems necessary, but especially along 

 the spine, at the hip point, dock, and on the belly. In breeds in 

 which dark fibers in the wool and dark spots on the skin are likely 

 to be present, the fleece should also be parted on the top of the head 

 just behind the ears, on the fore part of the shoulder, and just above 

 the hocks. 



(5) Noting Defects. In connection with the handling of rams 

 it is advisable to note whether the scrotum is normally developed. 

 Occasionally the testicles are very small. When this is the case, the 

 features about the head usually lack masculinity. Again one testicle 



1 Density of ileece is determined wlien the wool is parted. The smaller 

 the amount of skin exposed the denser the wool. Or density can be esti- 

 mated fairly well by grasping a portion of the Ileece between the thumb 

 and fingers; if the wool feels compact and fills the hand well, it is likely 

 to be dense. Quality of fleece is indicated by the waves or crimps in the 

 wool fibers. If these are short, carry regularly from the skin to the outer 

 tips of the fibers, the wool is fine and even in quality. Luster is a 

 factor in the quality of luster wools. It is a brightness, similar to 

 that of polished metals and its presence depends on the size and shape 

 of the cuticle cells or scales forming the outer layer of the fibers. It is 

 most marked in the longer, coarser wools, and least in the fine, short wools. 

 Condition of fleece refers to color, yolk, and the foreign material in the wool. 

 To be in good condition t'ie wool should be bright, not dingy; it should 

 be practically free from dirt, chaff, and burrs; and the yolk should be 

 evenly distributed. 



