SHEEP FOR WOOL, MUTTON AND BOTH USES 55 



on the shoulders or side. But the difference in these 

 respects is more marked in certain of the breeds, and in 

 all or nearly all of them it is capable of still further reduc- 

 tion. While uniformity in all these respects is important, 

 uniformity in length is of especial importance. It is 

 found more complete in the fine wool than in the coarse 

 wool types. 



Usually the first quality of wool is obtained along 

 the sides of the sheep from the hip to the shoulder and 

 including a part of both. The second quality is found on 

 the back from the poll to the rumps, much the poorest 

 grade in this class being on the rumps. The third quality 

 is found on the throat, forearm, belly, thighs, legs and 

 head. These divisions are very general, the wool in each 

 of them being graded by further subdivision. (See page 



70.) 



To secure highest quality in wool calls into exercise 

 a high degree of skill in breeding. With such an end in 

 view, it involves continued selection of the most careful 

 kind, and it necessitates furnishing food and protection 

 adapted to the end sought. Irftprovement in wool pro- 

 duction is much more difficult of attainment and calls for 

 a much longer time to effect it than improvement in mut- 

 ton production. 



The aim in mutton production — The chief aim in 

 mutton production should be: (i) To secure the most 

 flesh compatible with normal size ; (2) the highest de- 

 velopment in the best parts; (3) highest quality in the 

 mutton production ; and (4) to meet the demands which 

 the markets call for. To accomplish these ends in a 

 marked degree is not incompatible with securing wool 

 also abundant in quantity and of high quality. 



Each breed or grade has its own standard of size. 

 This standard is not inflexible. It is modified by food 

 conditions. Thus the standard of size for sheep that are 

 grown chiefly on alfalfa is higher than the standard for 

 the same on the downs of southern England. In other 



