CHOOSING AND JUDGING SHEEP 



373 



Fig. 122. — Examining the Fleece 

 POK THE Coarsest op the Wool. 



case among many of the mutton breeds. In considering the 

 quality, the best method is to open the fleece along the side 

 just back of the shoulder and 

 in the region of the thigh. 

 With the hands placed in a 

 flat position, open the wool just 

 back of the shoulder (Fig. 121). 

 It is in this region that the 

 finest and soundest wool of the 

 fleece is found. With the 

 hands in Hke position, open 

 the wool along the thigh (Fig. 

 122). In this region the poor- 

 est and coarsest wool of the 

 entire fleece is to be found. 



Quantity of fleece. — The chief factors to be considered in 

 determining the quantity of fleece are the density and length, 

 and the evenness of both over all parts of the sheep's body. 



By density is meant the closeness of the fibers or the number 

 of fibers that grow on a square inch. As a rule the greater the 

 number, the finer the fibers will be; hence the fleece will not 

 only be heavier, but more valuable as well. A dense fleece is 

 desired, as it affords the animal more protection than one that 

 is loose and open; hence sheep with dense fleeces suffer less 

 from catarrhal and other disease:. A dense, oily fleece is im- 

 pervious to rain, snow, and wind, as well as dirt, dust, and 

 pieces of hay. On the other hand, the loose open fleece becomes 

 saturated with water on exposure, the sheep catch cold, suffer 

 from catarrh, running at the nose, scouring, and various other 

 diseases, and the fleece becomes loaded with dust, dirt, and 

 chaff. 



The length of the fleece is one of the important features in 

 considering the quantity. The length is a breed characteristic, 

 and the only suggestion that can be made is that it should be 



