372 MANUAL OF FARM ANIMALS 



The legs should be carefully observed. Sheeps' legs are at 

 best far from straight. As a rule, the fore legs of fine-wool 

 sheep are too close together, the knees often almost touching. 

 This is objectionable, for, as we have already observed, fore legs 

 placed close together indicate a narrow chest, which in turn 

 signifies lack of constitutional vigor. Fine-wool sheep also 

 have very crooked hocks, which is equally as objectionable. 

 Often the legs below the hocks are carried too much under the 

 body, the shanks being too slanting. The toes are often neg- 

 lected and let grow out too long, which throws the legs still 

 farther out of their proper position. 



Examining the fleece 



In the examination of the wool the chief factors to consider 

 are the quantity, the quality, and the condition. In consider- 

 ing the quantity the entire body must be examined. To note 



the quantity along the belly 

 and arm pits, the sheep 

 should be turned up and 

 placed on its rump. To turn 

 the sheep, stand on the left 

 side of the animal, place the 

 left arm around under the 

 neck at the shoulder points, 

 with the right hand reach 

 under the sheep, seize the 

 right hind foot, gently lift the 



Fig. 121. — Examining the Fleece . i re i • j- . j i 



FOR THE Finest of the Wool. animal ott tiis teet, and place 



him on his rump, belly up. 

 One should have a mat or gunny sack on which to place the 

 sheep to prevent soiling the wool of the rump, particularly if 

 in the show ring. With the sheep in this position, the wool 

 along the belly and arm pits can be carefully noted. These 

 places should be densely covered, though such is seldom the 



