JUDGING SHEEP IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS. 13 
goods of fine grade the wool should be fine and soft, with a close, 
regular crimp. The term " crimp " is applied to the waves in the 
staple. Fineness of crimp is associated with fine quality. There 
should be uniformity of quality and texture. 
Condition. — Condition with reference to the fleece pertains to its 
brightness and healthy appearance. The wool should be free from 
dead fibers and all foreign matter such as dirt and burs. The con- 
dition of the wool is determined to a great extent by the health of the 
sheep. Both the health of the animal and the condition of its fleece 
are indicated by the amount and character of the yolk, or oily secre- 
tion of the wool. Although too much yolk is not desired there should 
be sufficient to prevent any harsh, dry appearance or feeling. 
FEEDER SHEEP. 
Capacity v. condition. — It should be obvious that the condi- 
tion of a sheep will determine whether it shall be classified as a 
market or fat sheep or a feeder. All the points given in connection 
with the description of mutton sheep apply to feeders except that 
instead of looking for market condition, or finish, one pays more 
attention to capacit} 7 for food and ability to use it efficiently in the 
production of mutton. Experiments have shown that sheep which 
have been bred toward the type described under mutton sheep make 
greater gains for the amount of food eaten than do those of inferior 
breeding. 
Constitution and health. — Feeder sheep not only should have a 
capacity for feed as shown by a well-developed barrel, but they also 
should give evidence of a strong constitution by having a wide, deep 
chest with ribs well sprung, making plenty of room for heart and 
lungs. Feeder sheep should be young and have their teeth in good 
shape. They can not use food efficiently if they have any form of 
diseases or if they are afflicted with lice or mites. 
WOOL SHEEP. 
Although few sheep are bred to-day for their wool alone the relative 
value and amount of the wool upon the fine-wooled breeds in relation 
to their size and value in mutton production is responsible for their 
being considered as a wool type. In score cards for this type usually 
45 points are given, for wool, whereas in the score for mutton sheep 
12 points are given for wool. While in the score for wool sheep 
the greater emphasis on wool is at the expense of mutton qualities, 
the tendency at present is to pay more attention to the meat-pro- 
ducing qualities of the fine-wooled breeds. 
