CHAPTER XVI 

 CHOOSING AND JUDGING SHEEP 



Familiarity with what is wanted, powers of observation, and 

 good judgment are equally as important in choosing sheep as in 

 choosing cows or horses. These can be gained only by careful 

 study, and more especially by practice, as sheep are often de- 

 ceptive. The importance of these faculties cannot be overesti- 

 mated in the choice of any class of farm animals. 



The wool-covering of the body of the sheep makes an examina- 

 tion of the form rather difficult. The wool is often so trimmed 

 as to deceive. An expert trimmer, possessing much sldll with 

 the shears, can give a rather inferior sheep the appearance of a 

 plump full form; thus animals with sway backs, narrow, flat 

 ribs, narrow, peaked rumps are often so trimmed as to conceal 

 such defects. To facilitate the inspection and hasten the work, 

 to avoid being deceived and to enable the examiner to discover 

 all defects, the following method of examining sheep is 

 suggested : — 



After noting the general appearance, the age, the teeth, 

 the eyes, and the like, then, with the open hand, as shown 

 in the illustrations (page 369) , proceed to a detailed examina- 

 tion. Do not depend on the eye alone, but fortify it with the 

 touch, carefully noting each character as described under detail 

 examination (page 368). During this examination keep the 

 fingers and thumb together and the hand flat. Never stick the 

 fingers into the wool. When it is desired to examine the wool, 

 open up the wool with the hand flat (Fig. 121). 



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