BREED CHARACTERISTICS 385 



Before deciding finally on the value of the fleece the 

 sheep should be turned up on the buttocks and an examina- 

 tion made of the wool covering over the belly and on the 

 legs. The quantity, quality, length, density, purity, close- 

 ness of crimp, yolk, and soundness should all receive close 

 consideration in the general examination. In making a final 

 summary of the value of a mutton sheep, the mutton and 

 wool qualifications should both be taken into consideration. 

 While the wool is a by-product in the mutton sheep its value 

 should be coordinated with the mutton-producing qualifica- 

 tions. In the fine-wool breeds the reverse condition is true, 

 the wool being of chief consideration. 



Throughout the examination the fingers should be extended 

 and held closely together to avoid ruffling the wool. The 

 fingers should never be thrust in the folds of the wool as it 

 usually leaves an impression which it is difficult to overcome, 

 especially in sheep fitted for show. As in judging the form 

 and condition of an animal the first examination should 

 reveal the true condition and value of the fleece. 



Quality. The quality of a fleece is determined by the fine- 

 ness of the fiber, the closeness of the crimp, and the softness 

 or pliability of the staple. 



The fineness has reference to the size of the fiber. This is 

 very closely associated with the crimp, which should be 

 close and uniform in contradistinction to the open-spiralled 

 fleece of the long-wool breeds. A diseased or ill-fed sheep 

 usually has a very objectionable fleece because of weakness 

 of fiber and irregularity in the crimp. In a healthy, well- 

 fed sheep the crimp is uniform, while otherwise it is long 

 and wavy. An irregular growth is undesirable because of 

 the lack of uniform fineness and strength of fiber. If a sheep 

 remains in an unhealthy condition for any great length of 

 time, the wool retains a weak place which usually reduces the 

 value very materially. Wool with a perceptible weakness 

 goes in a class for shorter stapled wools. 



In making an examination of the quality of a fleece, the 

 fineness and closeness of crimp should be carefully deter- 

 mined as well as the condition of the fiber. The softness 

 or pliability is readily determined by pressing on the fleece 

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