Anyone who is in the show business should get his flock in good shape, that is, put the flesh on them before the hot weather comes on. I prefer to have my show sheep ready for the shows before the first of June, then carry them along easily, letting them run in and out as it suits them until the first of July. But whatever you do, don't let them run out in the rain as it takes all the yolk out of the fleece.

Sheep should never be sheared before the first of April. Some shepherds make the practice of shearing their sheep in January or February, especially the head, neck, belly and legs. I did it once myself but I never repeated it a second time as I had more work trimming them that time than a half-dozen times when I kept the shearing back until the first of April. I made a practice of starting to shear the first Monday in April, and I have kept it up for the last twenty-five years.

As regards washing, I put them through the dipping vat around the tenth of May, show sheep first, so the dip will be clean. After that I only stand them in the vat around the first of July, to wash their legs, but be sure to keep the dip away from the other part of the wool. If the wool is a little dirty, take a cloth and some warm water and rub the outside of the fleece, and you will be surprised to see how the dirt will disappear.

Start to trim the sheep about six weeks before your first show. Start trimming at the shoulder, but be careful that you don't go too deep in places. We will say, take the shoulder top and get down to the skin, just as though you were shearing them off, then keep a straight line from there to the tail. Don't be afraid of leaving ridges, as there will be six weeks before show time to smooth them out. The one place to be careful of is behind the shoulders. Don't go too deep there. Then straddle your sheep and hold its chin up so you can get at the neck. Cut from about three inches from the chin down to the brisket, but whatever you do, don't shear the brisket. Only trim the brisket later on. When you start to trim, the blocking is enough for about three weeks, then start in to trim but don't be too hard on them with the cards or you will spoil the fleece. The main thing is getting a good yolk into the fleece. At the time you are blocking you sheep have a quart of sweet oil for the sheep's fleece. Take some of the oil in your hands and rub it into the fleece evenly, and don't be afraid of it will have time to work in by show time, then the wet cloth, shears, and a light carding will do the rest.

Be sure to take the oil over your hands and then over the fleece, keep repeating half a dozen times or until you have enough - don't be afraid of too much. This wants to be an even job when you are through.