130 



A BTVDY OF FARM ANIMALS 



island made a practical application of the use of the scale 

 by comparing their cattle with these standards. Much 

 benefit came from this method of judging, and their cattle 

 were gradually improved. They revised this scale on sev- 

 eral occasions, and among other things finally adopted a 

 uniform standard of 100 points for each sex. 



Since that time score cards have been much used by men 

 interested in other kinds of stock, and scales of points have 

 been adopted for most of our improved breeds. Not only 

 that, but score cards that apply only to types of stock, such 

 as the draft horse, etc., are commonly used in agricultural 

 schools and colleges. The following is a copy of a score card 

 for Dorset Horn sheep, that was adopted manj' years ago. 

 It is given here on account of its concise form and simplicity 

 of expression. 



THE DORSET HORN SHEEP SCALE OF POINTS 



GENERAL APPEARANCE. Head well up, eyes bright and 

 alert; and standing square on legs 



HEAD. Small, face white, nostrils well expanded, nose and 

 lips pink in color 



HORN. Neat, curving forward, and light in color 



FORETOP AND BELLY COVERING. Goodforetop and well 

 covered on belly and legs . 



NECK. Short and round, set well on shoulders 



CHEST. Broad, full, brisket well forward 



BACK. Broad, straight, with well sprung ribs 



QLIARTERS. Heavy, square, set on short, straight legs, well 



apart . 



LEGS. White, with small, light colored hoof 



WOOL. Medium quality and good weight, presenting an even, 

 smooth, white surface 



Total 



Perfect 

 score 



.5 

 10 



10 

 l.'i 



10 



Score 



of 

 animal 



An example of the use of a scale of points is necessary, 

 and this of the Dorset will serve our purpose. Under 

 "points scored" it will 1)6 seen that there are ten things to 

 which attention is directed. Each of these ten is given a 

 brief description and a number, which represents what the 

 stockman calls "points." The number 20 in the column 

 named "perfect score" means that a Dorset sheep that 



