460 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



a correspondingly better sale. The offerings on the market come under 

 the following grades: Fancy selected, choice, good, common. 



"Only a few of the breeding ewes sold out of the market can be re- 

 garded as fancy selected. * * * Such ewes are high grades of some of 

 the Down breeds, usually Shropshire, and in addition to being thrifty and 

 sound, they are uniform in quality, conformation, fleece, and style." 



The greater number of more desirable breeding ewes are of the choice 

 grade. Choice ewes should be 2, 3 or 4 years old, sound in mouth and 

 udder; Down breeds preferred. 



"The smooth, low-set, symmetrical ewe is preferred over the angular, 

 upstanding ewe with uneven top and lower lines. * * * Choice breed- 

 ing ewes should have smooth, rather refined features and bone of 

 medium size. * * * While choice breeding ewes should be thrifty and 

 active, fat is not desirable. * * * 



"Several factors combined cause breeding ewes to grade as good, such 

 as undesirable markings, age, weight, conformation, and condition." 



Common breeding ewes are on the border line between breeders and 

 feeders. They show no single line of breeding. In many instances they 

 are noticeably advanced in age. 



"BucTcs. — While the rams sold out of Chicago market as breeders vary 

 in age, weight, and markings, there are no recognized grades. Those 

 most sought after are dark-faced, smooth, low-set, vigorous-looking rams 

 of a year or more in age. * * * Inspection of rams selected for breed- 

 ing out of the open market reveals the fact that the greater percentage 

 show undesirable form and a mixture of breeding." 



MISCEIXANEOTJS. 



"Hothouse lambs (spring lam'bs). — The term 'hothouse lambs' refers to 

 those produced early and marketed before the general run of spring 

 lambs start to market, which is about May 20. * * * 'Hothouse lambs' 

 are most in demand from Christmas until Easter. They must be fat and 

 weigh between 40 and 55 pounds. 



"Export sheep. — Most of the sheep selected for export are the heaviest 

 of their class. They are usually in prime condition and of the choice grade. 

 Wethers are preferred, but ewes, yearlings, and lambs are also taken, 

 hence the term 'export' can not be said to apply to any particular sub- 

 class of mutton sheep. Many buyers use the term freely to designate 

 wethers, yearlings, ewes, and lambs heavy in weight and prime in con- 

 dition, whether they be taken for export or not. 



"Throw-outs. — This is a term applied to lambs rejected as feeders. 

 After a band of lambs has been divided into the mutton and feeder classes, 

 the purchaser of the feeder end usually has the privilege of rejecting 

 those not suitable for feeding purposes. Lame lambs, those appearing 

 unthrifty, entire males, those large enough to be suspiciously near the 

 short yearling age, and frequently black lambs make up the rejections. 

 * * * Throw-outs are often called 'rejects,' but they are never known 



