TYPES AND MARKET CLASSES OF LIVE STOCK 225 



or prominent parts. In quality, the requirements are fine, clean- 

 cut features, fine bone, and a smooth form. Sharp discrimina- 

 tion is made by buyers against those not showing a high finish, 

 this being the first essential in prime yearlings. 



Choice yearlings. Yearlings of the choice grade outnum- 

 ber those grading as prime. A weight of more than 90 pounds 

 is usually alone sufficient to exclude a yearling from the prime 

 grade. Any noticeable departure from correct form, quality, or 

 condition is sufficient to place a yearling in the choice grade. The 

 difference between prime and choice yearlings is small. 



Good yearlings. When the weight is 110 pounds or more, 

 or when there is marked lack of those qualities sought in the 



Fig. 67. Common Wethers. 



yearling sub-class, the animals grade as good, this being the 

 lowest grade of yearlings. Excepting those that are badly off 

 in form or quality, or both, the good grade of mutton yearlings 

 merges with the yearling feeder sub-class. 



Wethers. This sub-class is composed of mature, castrated 

 males. Comparatively few native wethers appear upon the 

 market, this sub-class being chiefly a western product. It is 

 claimed that there are fewer wethers reaching the market each 

 year, and, as the demand for dressed lamb seems destined to 

 increase, the proportionate number of wethers will undoubtedly 

 continue to decrease, especially when transportation lines are 



