272 MANAGEMENT AND FEEDING OF SHEEP 



tening appearance in each fiber when held separately ; 

 (4) a shade of color in the wool masses that may vary 

 from a glistening white to an orange or golden tint ac- 

 cording to the amount of the yolk present and to some 

 extent it may be to the strain of the sheep. 



Such a condition of the wool is greatly promoted by 

 judicious housing and blanketing for some time previous 

 to the fairs. When Merinos are not housed for some time 

 previous to the fairs, clots will probably be found on the 

 external surface of the fleece and it will be harsh to the 

 touch. Exposure to heavy rains may result in the bleach- 

 ing of the yolk to a dull tint and in such injury to its 

 stratifications as to cause it to wash down into the wool 

 in masses that disfigure it. Especially will such changes 

 of the yolk follow exposure subject to housing. The 

 housing should protect from exposure to rain, dews and 

 frost, and it should cover from, say, 6 to 12 weeks, pre- 

 viously to the fair. 



In the case of Merinos blankets not only help to keep 

 the fleece clean externally, but they aid in the even dis- 

 tribution of the yolk because of the influence which they 

 exert probably on temperature in the wool. They are 

 also used on other sheep as the show season approaches, 

 and more especially when in transit and at the fairs. In 

 addition to keeping the fleece clean and compact, blankets 

 protect more or less from flies and provide warmth. At 

 the fairs they also tend to prevent thoughtless visitors 

 from disturbing the wool. Blanketing is more essential 

 when preparing Merino sheep for the fairs than with 

 sheep of other breeds. 



Show sheep in transit to the fairs — When sheep are 

 to be shown, the aim should be to have all the arrange- 

 ments pertaining to the work made in ample time. This 

 means that the entries shall be made early ; that the 

 means of transit shall be arranged for so that the time for 

 leaving shall be definitely and unerringly fixed, and that 

 food shall be provided in ample supply. These arrange- 



