The first thing to do in getting show sheep ready for the ring is to wash them. This should be done at least three or four weeks before starting on their first fair. It should be done in the dipping vat or large tub, where you can turn them over. I fill my tank or vat waist deep and get in with them using tepid water and soft soap, squeezing out the dirt. I then change water to rinse them, using a little bluing and they will come out perfectly white. Care should be taken not to touch their backs while they are wet or there will be holes in their fleeces which are hard to work out. Washing should be done in the forenoon so the sheep will be dry before night, care being taken that no dust or dirt blown on them.

After the sheep are thoroughly dry, or even a week after washing, they should be blocked out - that is, cut out to the form of an ideal sheep. Do this with a razor edged pair of hand shears. The belly should be done first, turning the sheep on its rump. Then see that it stands on level ground, hold its head with your left hand and cut across the back starting at the base of the neck leaving about 1 1/2 inches on the back, and sides in proportion. After you have cut it out of the rough, so to speak, take a bucket of lukewarm water, add a little dip to it, and rub this in with a good stiff brush. Then use a curry comb. Cut the wool you have piled up. The use a damp flannel cloth and rub well. Also, use a wool card and keep carding and trimming until perfectly smooth, with the back level. If the fleece is dry or harsh to the touch, when you trim them the next time, add olive oil instead of dip to the lukewarm water. Put this on with your hand and rub it in until the wool has a silky feeling, but be sure to put covers or sheep blankets on them to keep off the dust.

A sheep well trimmed and cleaned has a much better appearance than one that is half-done. If a sheep does not have as good a leg as you would like, dampen the thighs and breech, then brush and card it well before showing, and fluff out with a steel comb. This makes it look larger and plumper.

Another very important thing is to see that their feet are kept well pared. The writer knows one man who had good sheep but lost several prizes because he neglected to pare their feet, and they were down on their pasterns.

Show lambs should be blocked out early. Cut the backs down well, as I believe it makes them much cooler and aids in standing the hot weather. Lambs need good feed to hold their flesh, but care must be taken against over-heating. Once this happens they are never the same again.

Finally, feed your sheep sulfur in their salt. Mix granulated salt and add enough sulfur to give it a yellow tint. This will keep the fleece in much better condition.