124 FINE WOOL SHEEP HUSBANDRY. 
the direction of lines drawn from the tail to the 
stifle. Gentle corrugations over the body, which can 
be pulled smooth in shearing, are also tolerated. 
Fleece. Wool long enough to do up in the fleece 
is not desirable on the nose under the eyes,* or on 
the legs below the knees and hocks, though a thick 
coat of shortish wool on the latter, and particularly 
on the hind legs, is regarded as a good point. The 
arm-pits and most of the base of the scrotum must 
necessarily be bare; but these cavities should be as 
small as the freedom of movement permits; and all 
* Long wool on the nose under the eyes is, lke the preceding, a 
nuisance, on account of the obstruction which 1t offers to the sight. I 
have several sheep which would become totally blind at least twice a 
year, by the wool closing over their eyes, if it was not cut away. And 
long before it thus closes over, the sheep can only see laterally, so that 
they can be closely approached in front or rear, by man or dog walk- 
ing noiselessly on the grass, or amidst the other noises of the barn- 
yard. When they at last discover the approaching body so near them, 
they bound away in an agony of fright even from their familiar 
keeper. This obstruction of the sight is therefore very destructive to 
the quietness and docility which should characterize a well managed 
flock. And such sheep do not do as well in the winter, unless the 
wool is repeatedly clipped from around their eyes, because their com- 
panions are constantly taking advantage of them at rack and trough. 
Let us have no such “fancy” monstrosities as this and the preceding 
inflicted on our valuable American flocks. Buta good foretop is justly 
regarded asa fine point. It should be of good length, dense, and the 
wool stand at right angles to the forehead. It should descend in a 
curve on the nose a little below the line of the eyes, circle round the 
eyes at just sufficient distance not to obstruct the sight, and join the 
wool on the cheeks and upper part of the neck, without break or 
opening. 
I have omitted speaking of the ears. They should be small, coated 
with thick, soft, mossy hair, about half way to the roots, so as to give 
them a feeling of thickness and softness; and the remainder of the 
outer surface should be covered with wool. A thin, hard, and espe- 
cially a naked ear, is highly objectionable. 
