TEE MEANS OF MAKING OBSERVATIONS 61 



almost as exclusively depended upon as is the eye in the 

 case of the hog. 



77. Method of handling. — In handling it should be re- 

 membered that the tips of the fingers are most sensitive to 

 the touch. The hides of cattle are rolled in the flat of the 

 hand or between the fingers and thumb. The hide is most 

 easily picked up over the back rib, the animal's head, mean- 

 time being directed forward, as turning to either side loosens 

 the skin very noticeably on that side and causes a corre- 

 sponding tightness on the other. Depth of covering in 

 cattle and sheep is shown along the spinal column of the 

 back and loin and over the top and side of the shoulder, 

 regions in which the bone is likely to be most conspicuous. 

 Sheep are handled with the flat hand, the fingers kept 

 tight together, care being taken not to muss the fleece 

 by turning down the staple. The fleece is parted for 

 examination at three places, over the heart where it is 

 finest, on the lower outside of the thigh where it is coarsest, 

 and at mid-rib where an average of its quality will be found. 

 A natural seam is selected and opened by the backs of 

 the two hands,- which are afterward reversed in such a 

 manner as to press the fleece back with the palms, exposing 

 the staple for its full depth, and the skin. 



78. Method of observing. — The study of the horse's 

 way of going is made by having him moved away from, 

 toward, and by, the observer. By lining up the eye with 

 the direction in which the horse is moving the directness 

 of the stride is apparent whether going or coming, as are 

 also the height of the stride, hind, and front, and the 

 working of stifles and shoulders. Viewed from the side, 

 as he passes by, the length, height, spring, balance and 

 regularity of the stride can be noted. 



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