33 AGRICULTURE. 



C. — Sheep. 



The market classification of sheep varies considerably in the 

 different markets of our country. Ordinarily they are, however, 

 classed as follows* Western wethers, ewes, yearlings, and lambs, 

 and native wethers, ewes, and lambs. These terms are self- 

 explanatory. Western 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 characteristics of sheep from States east of 

 the Mississippi. Western sheep and lambs weigh lighter and 

 dress out less fat than I^astern stock. 



The various classes are graded on a range of quality, from 

 common to choice or extra prime. (See Plumb, Farmers' Bull. 

 No. 1S4, and Coffee, Bull. Xo. 129, I.l. Exp. Station.) 



D. — Swine. 



Prime Heavy Hogs. — These are prime heavy fat-back hogs, 

 weighing 350-500 lbs., the extreme of the fat or lard hog. Prime 

 implies marked evidence of ripeness and maturity. 



Butcher Hogs are principally barrows; they are used for the 

 fresh-meat trade; about 25 per cent, of the hogs coming to 

 Chicago are of this class; they range in age, with good care and 

 feeding, from about 6 months for the light butchers to one year 

 for the heavy ones. They are subdivided into heavy, 280-350 

 lbs.; medium, 220-280 lbs.; and light butchers, 180-220 lbs. 

 The heavy butchers include prime and good grades, and the 

 two latter subclasses, prime, good, and common grades. 



Packing Hogs. — These are, as a whole, of a poorer grade than 

 the butcher hogs. They include old brood sows, and all other 

 hogs that are heavy enough for this class and not good enough 

 for the butcher class, except the poorer classes, such as roughs, 

 boars, and coarse stags. About 40 per cent of the hogs on the 

 Chicago market are of this class. They range in age upwards 

 to about 9 months and weigh in the three subclasses, 200-280, 

 250-300, and 300-500 lbs., each of these being graded as good, 

 common, or inferior stock. 



Light Hogs. - -This class includes all hogs within the weight 

 limits of 125 and 220 lbs., except roughs, stags, and boars, which 



