TYPES AND MARKET CLASSES OF LIVE STOCK 231 



not necessarily have to be of stylish carriage. From the stand- 

 point of breed type, they are often plain about the head, with 

 rather long necks, and long in the coupling to the extent that 

 they could hardly be regarded as compact." 



2. Constitution. "Since the breeding ewe is to produce 

 and nourish lambs, it is essential that she be deep and wide in 

 the chest, and that she have a roomy middle, all of which indicates 

 that she has a strong constitution and well-developed assimila- 

 tive powers." 



3. Age. "The most desirable ages are two, three, and 

 four years, and more particularly two and three years. When 

 breeding ewes go to the country it is the thought of the pur- 

 chaser that they are to produce, on the average, three crops 

 of lambs before they are sent back to the market as old mutton 

 ewes, hence, if the age is any greater than four years, the ability 

 to produce profitably for three years is very doubtful." 



4. Soundness. "Soundness refers to the condition of the 

 mouth and udder. A broken mouth, which means missing teeth 

 or teeth worn down short, indicates advanced age, and although 

 ewes may otherwise look desirable for breeding purposes, they 

 cannot grade as choice if the teeth are not intact. It is necessary 

 that the choice breeding ewe have a sound udder, and it is pro- 

 nounced sound when it is soft and pliable to the touch, without 

 abnormal development on either side. Any ewe not having a 

 sound udder should be rejected as a breeder, but in the good 

 and common grades some carelessness is exhibited in this respect." 



5. Breeding. "The breeding most sought after is some 

 one of the Down breeds, chiefly because of the dark color upon 

 the face and legs. Early in the season of the breeding ewe trade, 

 when Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia are taking large num- 

 bers of breeding ewes, color has a pronounced influence upon 

 the desirability of a ewe. Of two ewes, one with light markings 

 and the other with dark, but equal in all other respects, the one 

 with dark markings is placed a grade higher than the other. It 

 is also desirable that the breeding of choice ewes be such that 

 they have abundant fleeces of medium wool, which means that 

 the wool be of medium fineness and length, dense, and evenly 

 covering all parts of the body. Since they are to remain in the 

 country for three seasons, the quality and quantity of wool 

 they produce is no inconsiderable item." 



6. Quality. "Choice breeding ewes should have smooth, 

 rather refined features, and bone of medium size. Ewes of this 



