THE JVDGIKO OF HHEEP 



359 



teeth are replaced bj' larger permanent ones. It is easy to 

 tell the age up to four years. After that one must do some 

 guessing. It is to be noted, that with age the teeth wear 

 down or break away in the middle first, and old teeth slant 

 forward more than those of less age. The teeth should be 

 examined when judging or buj'ing; for they are a guide to 

 age and the condition for feeding and future usefulness. 



A systematic inspection of the mutton sheep should take 

 place after the following manner. So far as conformation 

 is concerned, look for the same blocky fullness of form that 

 would be expected in a fat steer. 



1. Survey for general ap- 

 pearances in the usual 

 manner as previously 

 described with horses 

 and cattle. 



2. Rest the lower jaw of 

 the sheep in the left 

 hand, and place the 

 right about the back of 

 the head or upper part 

 of neck. Then raise the 

 point of the jaw some- 

 what, and part the lips 

 gently by use of the forefinger and thumb of the left 

 hand. One is thus enabled to inspect the front teeth, 

 which are found in the lower jaw only. 



3. Inspect muzzle, face, eyes, forehead, and ears. 



4. View the breast and position of fore legs while stand- 

 ing in front. Then with the hand feel for thickness 

 of brisket and spacing between the legs. 



5. With the right hand grasp the neck and feel for its size 

 and attachment at the head. 



6. Notice the union of neck to shoulders, the covering of 

 the latter and the position of the blades. 



Figure 157. — Judging mutton sheep. 

 Feeling for width of loin. Photo- 

 graph by the author. 



