TYPES AND MARKET CLASSES OF LIVE STOCK 191 



5. Sheep are the best weed destroyers. Of the numerous 

 plants regarded as weeds, cattle and horses eat about 50 per 

 cent., while sheep eat over 90 per cent, of them. 



6. The income from wool and that from the lambs and 

 mutton come in in different parts of the year, and it seldom 

 happens that both products sell at bottom prices the same year. 



7. The wool clip is easily stored with practically no waste 

 or deterioration if it is desirable to hold for a higher price. 



8. The returns come quickly. Lambs may be marketed 

 eight months after the ewes are bred. 



9. The ewe's fleece usually pays for her keep. This puts 

 the fat lamb on the market at low cost of production. 



10. With good management, the increase in the flock may 

 be safely counted at one hundred per cent. 



Sheep breeders in the various countries have developed 

 two distinct kinds of sheep mutton sheep and wool sheep, 

 the latter being commonly called fine- wool sheep. Mutton 

 sheep naturally divide into two groups known as (1) long- of 

 coarse- wool sheep, and (2) medium- or middle- wool sheep. 



Fine- wool sheep bear wool that is 1J^ to 4 inches long after 

 twelve months' growth, medium-wool fleeces vary in length of 

 fiber from 2 to 5 inches, and the long-wool fiber measures 5 to 

 12 inches. The fiber of the fine- wool fleece is very fine in dia- 

 meter and has a large number of waves or crimps to the inch, 

 usually from 16 to 22. The long- wool fiber is coarse and lashy, 

 being rather straight and hairy in appearance. The fiber of 

 the medium-wool fleece occupies a position between the fine- 

 and long-wool fibers, but with fewer crimps per inch than the 

 fiber of fine- wool sheep. 



The three groups are separated by other marked differences 

 besides length and fineness of wool. Fine- wool sheep are usually 

 of small or medium size, and have a rather narrow form, long 

 neck, uneven top line, white face, more or less wrinkled skin, 

 a compact fleece often dark on the exterior, poor mutton quali- 

 ties, and active dispositions. Medium- wool sheep are medium 

 to large in size, have a wide, compact, blocky, meat-producing 

 form, straight top line, usually have brown faces, a smooth skin, 

 a compact fleece that is light colored on the exterior, thick flesh, 

 excellent mutton qualities, and active dispositions. Long- wool 

 sheep are large, with blocky bodies, straight lines, rather up- 

 standing, white face, smooth skin, shaggy light-colored fleeces 



