Preparation of Sheep for Show 275 



When the wool is deficient in crimp in these breeds, 

 this feature may be produced artificially by the 

 application of sour milk that has not reached the 

 curdled stage to the fleece when it is dry. Sour 

 milk has long been used for this purpose. When 

 ten years of age, I learned it from my father's 

 shepherd, Thomas Logan, who stated that his 

 father, shepherd to the famous Culley in Nor- 

 thumberiand, had taught it to him. 



Process of felting. — Another method of improving 

 the fleece of show sheep consists of felting the wool 

 with hot irons. First reduce the wool on the backs 

 of the sheep to the desired length, bearing in mind 

 the shorter the wool, the more satisfactory will be 

 the handling. Previous to felting the wool, it should 

 be slightly oiled, and a clean cloth spread over the 

 sheep's back. A hot iron is now applied in the same 

 manner as in ironing cloth. It is astonishing how 

 the felting or ironing process improves the fineness 

 of the fleeces of some sheep, while they at the same 

 time retain the elasticity sought for by the judge. 

 It is especially effective in imparting these qualities 

 to fleeces that are light yet fine in quality. 



Coloring. — This is the art of staining the wool 

 on the sheep so as to improve the appearance of the 

 animal. It is quite generally practiced by exhibitors 

 in Great Britain, but has not been followed to any 

 great extent in this country. There are various 

 ways of applying it. Some shepherds use a syringe 



