486 SHEEP 



The leg of mutton varies with the type. The nearer one 

 approaches type C the more fihed out in all its parts the hind 

 quarter becomes. Nevertheless, even in type A the thigh should 

 be strong and reasonably full, though not so thick or full in 

 twist as with types B and C. Considering that type C empha- 

 sizes mutton value, the leg of mutton here should be strong of 

 development. 



The hind legs should be muscular and straight, whether viewed 

 from either rear or one side, the shank bones fine and short, 

 the pasterns strong and well carried, and the toes neatly placed. 

 Instead of that the hind legs in all classes of Merinos strongly 



Fig. 217. a group of C type Merinos at the Ohio Agricultural Experiment Station. 

 Note the absence of folds. From photograph, by courtesy of the Ohio Station 



tend to crooked or sickle hocks, the points nearly if not quite 

 touching, and the toes turning out. Often the legs below the 

 hocks are carried too much under the body, the shanks being too 

 slanting. Owing to lack of attention the toes may grow too long, 

 and thus the foot becomes thrown out of proper placing and the 

 entire leg is affected. Careful trimming of the toes will easily 

 remedy this. Sheep of the A type tend to -have bad feet and 

 should be carefully selected and mated, with the view of avoiding 

 this trouble as much as possible. 



The skin of the Merino should be firm and of a bright pink 

 color and free of all scurfiness. No class of sheep, as a rule, 

 shows such excellent, high-class color of skin as generally pre- 

 vails with this breed. The smoothness of skin varies, that of A 

 having notable folds (as has been explained on page 482), 



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