226 Animal Husbandry 
ears, face, and legs should be soft and silky. Sheep possessing .a 
tight, heavy, pale skin, coarse, harsh hair about the face and on 
the legs, and heavy, rough, coarse bone are deficient in quality. 
358. Constitutional vigor. — This deserves much attention, for 
inits absence the wool will be of poor quality and the mutton sheep 
an unprofitable animal. Vigor is estimated by the general expres- 
sion, by the condition of the skin, and by the chest capacity. The 
expression of the eyes, ears, and head should be mild and lively, and 
the sheep should be on ‘the alert. The skin should be deep pink 
and not pale. The chest capacity should be large. A good way to 
estimate the chest capacity among sheep is to note the distance be- 
tween the front legs along the floor of the chest. If the distance be- 
tween the legs is small, it denotes a narrow chest. A narrow chest is 
always objectionable, as it may indicate lack of constitutional vigor. 
359. Uniformity. — The importance of uniformity in a flock of 
sheep, chosen either for wool or mutton, cannot be overestimated. 
They should be uniform in type, size, and breeding. While such 
uniformity may not add to the production of wool or to the ability 
to take on flesh, it materially improves their general appearance, 
and increases their market value. Either the butcher or the 
sheep breeder will pay more for a uniform flock than for one in 
which such regularity is wanting. 
DETAIL CHARACTERS OF SHEEP 
360. Head. — This part should be short, with strong jaws and 
large nostrils. The mouth should be examined to note the age 
and condition of the teeth. Sheep with missing teeth are unde- 
sirable either for mutton or wool. The eyes should be mild, bright, 
and prominent; the forehead broad and full. The ears should be 
refined, short, and active. Coarse, leathery ears are objectionable, 
as they indicate poor quality. The horns, if present, should be 
strong, rather angular at the base, and have a spiral shape turning 
backward and around, sometimes making two complete turns. 
