UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
BULLETIN No. 593 k 
Contribution from the States Relations Service <; 
JE&**$&L A - c - TRUE, Director. ^£r^*^^L 
Washington, D. C. PROFESSIONAL PAPER. December 20, 1917 
JUDGING SHEEP AS A SUBJECT OF INSTRUCTION 
IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS. 1 
By H. P. Barrows, Specialist in Agricultural Education. 
CONTENTS. 
Page. 
Introduction 1 
Classroom instruction 2 
Page. 
Description of mutton sheep : 10 
Practice judging 15 
INTRODUCTION. 
Many rural districts of the United States are not awake to the 
opportunities connected with sheep husbandry. In sections where 
sheep form an important part of the farm live stock the possibilities 
of keeping the boy on the farm are increased by allowing him the 
care of a few sheep on his own account. Much can be done toward 
arousing an interest among the farmers of the community and an 
enthusiasm on the part of the young people- by teaching the subject 
properly in the schools. Lessons on types and breeds of sheep fur- 
nish a suitable introduction to a study of wool and mutton produc- 
tion. If, in these lessons, an abundance of illustrative material is 
used, and they are accompanied by practice in judging, interest will 
be aroused in the lessons to follow. Students who may have little 
interest in ordinary sheep often become enthusiastic when made 
acquainted with the results and possibilities of good breeding. Al- 
though it will not be possible in the time available in a secondary 
course to train expert judges, a good start may be made if the work 
is directed right. The instructor should aim to fix proper ideals in 
the minds of the students, to develop their powers of observation, 
and to arouse such interest that the students will continue the work 
of their oayii accord. 
1 Prepared under the direction of C. H. Lane, Chief Specialist in Agricultural Educa- 
tion, with the aid of the Bureau of Animal Industry. 
Note. — This bulletin is intended for the use of teachers of secondary agriculture. 
10207°— 17 1 
