372 JUDGING FARM ANIMALS 



grounds, he is likely to see many animals, especially in the 

 large exhibits, that appear models of perfection. However, 

 the judge passing over them finds beneath the beautiful 

 surface of fleece, various conditions that the shepherd, by 

 the use of his shears, has carefully hidden from the super- 

 ficial observer. Where the back droops or there is slack- 

 ness behind the shoulder, he has left sufficient length of 

 wool to give fullness of outline, and if there is peakediiess 



Fig. 203. "Under show ring conditions, with the fleece trimmed by the 

 shears and blocked out." (Photo by courtesy American Agriculturist.) 



behind, the shears square up the wool so as to make the 

 hindquarters appear thick and full. Thus defects, some- 

 times serious, are covered, and unfortunately, oftentimes at 

 the expense of the inexperienced. Hence the use of the 

 hands, as a necessity in finding out how things lie beneath 

 the surface. This special use of the shears is limited 

 to the mutton breeds. The exhibitors of the fine 



