CHAPTER XIII. 

 JUDGING SHEEP. 



Purpose. — Sheep are maintained for two distinct purposes: 

 mutton and wool production. In judging them these 

 quaHfications should be given close consideration. While 

 both types are in a measure dual purpose in design, they are 

 specifically bred for one or the other of these products. 

 The mutton type, although specifically bred for mutton-pro- 

 ducing purposes, is more strictly dual purpose, as the wool 

 obtained from it constitutes a large proportion of Ihe total 

 supply of this product. Although the aim of breeders 

 has been primarily toward perfecting mutton form, this type 

 of sheep has given a good account of itself in wool products. 

 The wool type is not as well balanced as the mutton 

 type in the production of these two products. The quality 

 of wool is unsurpassed, but the form of the animal has a 

 low measure of value in mutton production. The mutton 

 obtained from a wool sheep, therefore, is essentially a 

 by-product. 



Method of Use. — The mutton carcass is consumed in a 

 fresh condition with few exceptions. The principal market 

 classes of the fat sheep are the lamb, yearling, wether, and 

 ewe. While sheep are placed on the market in other forms, 

 the same as cattle and swine, these classes mentioned consti- 

 tute the standard finished market products. 



The wool obtained from the sheep either once or twice 

 yearly is used in the manufacture of various kinds of woven 

 or felted materials. This depends on the class and grade of 

 the wool, as described later. In judging sheep a careful 

 estimate should therefore be made concerning the value of 

 this product in its various uses. 



Determination of Age. — Sheep have eight incisor teeth in 

 the lower jaw. On the upper jaw a rough pad or cushion is 



(361) 



Digitized by Microsoft® 



