TENTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART X 455 



"Since it is difficult to secure the most desirable form, quality, con- 

 dition, and weight combined in one animal, choice yearlings outnumber 

 those of the prime grade. Any noticeable departure from -what is con- 

 sidered prime in any of the above characteristics is sufficient to place a 

 yearling in the choice grade. During the winter season, when the offer- 

 ings of sheep are almost wholly grain fattened, the greater number of 

 yearlings are in prime condition; but at all times there are offerings 

 that are not of the most desirable form, quality, and weight. * * * 

 Those of more than 90 pounds weight, although they may be in prime 

 condition, rarely grade better than choice. * * * There can not be 

 a great difference between the condition of prime and choice yearlings, 

 and, in fact, the total difference between them is not great. 



"Undesirable quality, weight, or condition, or a combination of de- 

 ficiencies in any two or all three of the above, will, if readily apparent, 

 place a yearling in the good grade. With a few scattered exceptions this 

 is the lowest grade of yearlings offered as mutton. Yearlings of 110 

 pounds and upward rarely grade better than good, even though they be 

 prime in every other respect. Ill form, general coarseness, and undue 

 weight of pelt are all serious objections, and those having such defects 

 are nearly always placed in this grade. A rather frequent combination, 

 placing yearlings in the good grade, is underfinished condition and un- 

 desirable quality. If yearlings are assigned to this grade solely because 

 of a want of fat, they are almost on the border line between the mutton 

 and the feeder class, and are not much wanted by either packers or feeder 

 buyers." 



Wetliers. — Mature castrated males compose this subclass. 



"Since comparatively few native wethers appear upon the market, 

 this class is looked upon as chiefly a western product. * * * 



"The same conformation, quality, and condition are demanded in 

 prime wethers that have already been noted as characteristic of prime 

 yearlings. The most desirable weights range from 95 to 110 pounds, and 

 are popularly known as 'light handy weights.' However, wethers weigh- 

 ing 140 pounds and upward frequently grade as prime if their heavy 

 weight is accompanied by desirable conformation, quality, and condition. 



"The choice wether is usually slightly short of prime in form, quality, 

 and condition. Quality in this instance applies more particularly to 

 lightness of pelt and to freedom from paunchiness than to coarseness of 

 feature. Wethers of this grade must also come under the light, handy, 

 or the heavy weights. Choice wethers are used in the same way as prime 

 wethers, and both are sought by dealers in high-class mutton. 



"Good wethers are characterized by coarseness and lack of prime con- 

 dition. They do not command the highest prices because they do not 

 dress a high percentage of marketable meat nor yield a quality of mutton 

 satisfactory to a high-class trade. If wethers are pronounced in their 

 weight of pelt, but covered with thick fat, they will come in this grade 

 unless of undesirable weight. Frequently wethers of choice condition 

 and quality, and weighing 120 to 135 pounds, are placed in the good 

 grade because their weight is not adapted to the purpose for which they 



