TYPES AND MARKET CLASSES OF LIVE STOCK 239 



renewed interest, and turning to the owner he said, "Feed 'em." 

 Grain was placed in a trough in full view of the rams, at sight of 

 which one pricked up his ears and marched quickly to the trough, 

 the others following more leisurely. "That's him," said the 

 buyer, pointing to the ram in front, for in common with all 

 experienced feeders he recognized the significance of good feed- 

 ing qualities. A strong appetite is evidence of constitution, 

 thrift, lustiness, and health, and indicates a disposition to de- 

 velop quickly and make economical gains. 



The ram should exhibit strong sexual characteristics, these 

 being a strong head with distinctly masculine features and 

 expression, a well-developed crest or scrag similar to the crest 

 of the beef bull, a sufficiency of bone, and general ruggedness 

 of build throughout. Style in the ram, including an active gait 

 and bold presence, is an evidence of masculinity and breeding 

 usefulness. Particular attention should be given to the shape, 

 position, and strength of feet, pasterns, and legs. These points 

 should receive attention in any sheep, but in the breeding ram 

 their importance is magnified. The feet should be well formed, 

 the pasterns strong, the bone ample, and the legs straight. Weak- 

 ness in the hind legs is of more consequence than weakness in 

 front, as it injures the breeding usefulness to a greater degree. 

 The hocks should not be bent so as to give the hind leg a sickled 

 appearance as viewed from the side; and when viewed from the 

 rear, the hind legs should not be bowed outward, but placed 

 straight and square beneath the quarters. Weak or broken 

 down hind pasterns are particularly objectionable in a breeding 

 ram. 



The ram's fleece should be heavy and of good quality ac- 

 cording to his breed, special attention being given to the wool 

 in case the ewe flock averages below desired standards for fleece. 



So far as the fatness of the ram is concerned, greater satis- 

 faction will ordinarily result from the purchase of a ram in 

 medium condition, or what shepherds call a field ram, than one 

 that has been much pampered in preparation for sale or show. 

 The latter may present a more attractive form and appearance 

 at the time of purchase, but must be let down in flesh before 

 he can be used for breeding purposes, and it is often true that 

 with loss of fat there are revealed some ratherdisappointing points 

 in form. This more often happens when the buyer is a novice 

 and the ram has had the additional advantage of the correcting 

 power of shears in expert hands. In any case, the purchase 



