TENTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART X 459 



"To be considered choice feeders, wethers must be of good conforma- 

 tion, high! J- developed in quality, and uniform in weight and condition. 

 * * * The choice feeder wether should be of a light, handy weight, 

 which ranges from 80 to 90 pounds." 



Good feeder wethers should be uniform in weight and condition, and 

 not open to serious criticism in conformation and quality. Wethers of 

 this grade are usually inferior to those of the choice grade in quality or 

 condition. 



AVethers of the medium feeder grade are usually criticised for their 

 lack of quality and condition. Medium feeder wethers are likely to be 

 large of frame, and although not heavy at the time of purchase because 

 of their thin condition, they are heavy wethers when marketed as 

 mutton. 



Extremely coarse wethers with heavy pelts, stags, the result of cas- 

 trating mature rams, and very old wethers are included in the common 

 feeder grade. 



Ewes. — "When there is a slow demand for breeeding ewes * * * the 

 yearling ewe lops off into the feeder class. Of the mature ewes sold as 

 feeders, the larger number are those that have spent their usefulness as 

 breeders on the range. They vary considerably in condition, quality, and 

 general thrift, and all feeder ewes may be graded as follows: Choice, 

 good, medium, common." 



Most of the yearling ewes offered as feeders are placed in the choice 

 grade. 



"They are of choice quality and in that degree of condition at which 

 gains are put on rapidly and early give a degree of desirable finish. They 

 weigh from 70 to 80 pounds, and when finished yield a neat, handy 

 weight carcass. Smooth, aged ewes of good form and in medium flesh 

 are also placed in this grade." 



To grade as good, feeder ewes must be smooth and healthy, and their 

 teeth must be sound. 



Ewes of the medium feeder grade may be lacking either in quality 

 or thrift. If unthrifty, they are usually broken mouthed and in low 

 condition. 



"Common ewes are very old and so depleted in condition that they ap- 

 proach emaciation. As a rule, their front teeth are gone or worn so 

 low that they are of little use. Only the best of care and feed will 

 secure gains on ewes of this grade." 



BEEEDING SHEEP. 



Native and western ewes are included in this class in about equal 

 proportions, but breeding bucks are exclusivelj^ natives. 



-'Ewes. — The ewes most sought after are 2, 3, and 4-year-old dark-faced 

 natives in ordinary field condition. * * * Many of the ewes offered 

 for breeding purposes are yearlings, but they are not as desiraljle as 

 2 or 3 year old ewes, because they are immature and likely to he unsatis- 

 factory as mothers at their first lambing. The native yearling is heavier 

 and more nearly mature than the western yearling, and she meets with 



