CHOOSING AND JUDGING SHEEP 363. 



First or middle pair of permanent teeth 15 months 



Second or first intermediate pair of permanent teeth . . 26 months 



Third or second intermediate pair of permanent teeth . 37 months 



Fourth or lateral pair of permanent teeth 48 months 



After the teeth are up and in wear, there is comparatively 

 little change for a time, but as the animal grows older the teeth 

 become narrower, and by the eighth or ninth year there is 

 much space between them. They shrink away from each 

 other, become more or less discolored, and finally drop out one 

 by one. 



TYPES OF SHEEP 



There are two distinct types of sheep: the wool type, 

 adapted for the production of much wool, and the mutton 

 type, adapted for the production of meat. These types are 

 controlled to a considerable extent by the demands made upon 

 the body of the animal. Thus in the case of wool production 

 as much skin surface as possible is desired, and the skin is 

 thrown into folds. Large wool yields depend much on the con- 

 stitution, the vigor, and the condition of the skin; hence much 

 consideration is given these characters in choosing wool sheep. 

 Likewise much attention is paid the skin secretions, which should 

 be oily in appearance This oil is commonly called " yolk." 

 The wool should be fine, with a natural bright luster and a 

 clean white color. On the other hand, the mutton type calls 

 for a form similar to that of beef cattle. The carcass is the 

 product, and a plump full body is desired. The energy of the 

 food should go to the production of mutton and not of wool. 

 These two types, therefore, are of necessity widely different, 

 and one can no more expect maximum wool production and 

 maximum mutton production in the same sheep than he can 

 have greatest milk flow and greatest yield of beef in the same 

 cow. 



The fine-wool type. — There are three important breeds of 



