434 



IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



SHEEP. 



The following classification and quotations from the Weekly Live 

 Stock Report of Chicago, representing that market, is about as com- 

 prehensive as is published: 



Classes and grades of sheep on the Chicago market, ivith quotations. 



Choice western weth- 

 ers $3.75 to $4.00 



Fair to good western 

 wethers 3.50 



Choice western year- 

 lings 4.15 



Fair to good western 

 yearlings 3.85 



Choice western ewes., 3.35 



Fair to good western 

 ewes 



Western cull ewes... 



Choice western lambs 



Fair to good western 

 lambs 4.85 



Choice heavy native 

 wethers 4.00 



Choice light native 

 ewes 3.50 



2.85 

 L50 

 5.25 



3.65 



4.25 



4.00 

 3.50 



3.15 

 2.25 

 5.50 



5.10 



4.10 



3.60 



Choice heavy native 



ewes $3.00 to $3.60 



Fair to good native 



ewes 3.15 



Cull native ew^es 2.00 



Choice native spring 



lambs 5.65 



Fair to good native 



spring lambs 5.15 



Common and medium 



lambs 4.50 



Cull spring lambs 3.25 



Feeding sheep 3.35 



Feeding yearlings .... 3.60 

 Choice feeding lambs.. 4.50 

 Fair to good feeding 



lambs 4.15 



3.40 



2.50 



5.75 



5.50 



5.00 

 4.00 

 3.50 

 3.75 

 4.65 



4.40 



It will be noted that this classification embraces western wethers, 

 yearlings, ewes and lambs, and natives wethers, ewes and lambs. West- 

 ern sheep are from the ranges of Montana. Wyoming and other states 

 beyond the Mississippi, and are strongly impregnated with Merino blood. 

 They lack the middle wool or mutton element which is more character- 

 istic of the sheep from states east of the Mississippi. Western sheep 

 and lambs weigh lighter and dress out less fat than Eastern stock. 



MAKING A SHIPMENT. 



Making arrangements. Where one is to ship by freight it is cus- 

 tomary tj make arrangement in advance with the railway agent and 

 have one or more cars switched and placed ready for loading. Advance 

 arrangements are necessary, because cars may have to be obtained from 

 some other point on the railroad, and. in any event, special switching- 

 orders will, as a rule, be necessary. In a smaller town or city two or 

 three days' notice of shipment is usually expected from the consignor. 

 Even in the largest markets one day's notice to the railroad is desirable. 



Feeding and care during shipment. Feed, water and care en route 

 are always given live stock when an attendant does not accompany the 

 shipment. It is, however, necessary that the shipper furnish feed and 

 some utensils. For horses, cattle and sheep shipped in a stock car a 

 supply of hay must be placed in the racks in the car. In case of a small 

 shipment the hay may be placed in a rough rack or on the car floor. 

 Fo-r a carload lot a supply of hay may be placed along the side of the 

 car, being, in some cases, fed through trap-doors in the roof into the 

 racks in front of the animals. On brief runs and on express freights 

 feeding is not usually practiced. Hogs when shipped loose in the cat- 

 are usually fed c'orn on the ear. 



