JUDGING THE MUTTON TYPE OF SHEEP 



387 



in its thickest part is grasped by the two hands, and its 

 general outlines determined. By this method of examina- 

 tion with the hands, the judge is enabled to get a fair idea 

 of the general proportions and covering of flesh. No effort 

 at deception in trimming and fixing up the fleece can have 

 much value, where the form is carefully examined with the 

 hands. Such an examination shows whether or not sym- 

 metry prevails, an important feature of correct form. An 

 animal with long neck, narrow chest, short ribs and peaked 

 hind end, would show neither symmetry of form, nor a 

 body that would meet the butcher's reauirements for a 

 high-class carcass. 



Quality in the mutton sheep, is especially indicated by 

 fineness of bone, hair and wool. From the killing point of 

 view, perhaps the bone offers the most important evidence, 

 for if it is small and strong, it serves every purpose, yet 



Fig. 214 — "The hands naturaUy drop back to the hips, and beyond to the 

 tail-head, to determine the width between these and their covering." 



