260 PRINCIPLES OF FARM PRACTICE 



arrive at the stock-yards they are sorted; those in good 

 condition are sold for mutton, and the rest are offered as 

 feeders. The feeders are divided into several classes feeder 

 lambs, feeder yearlings, etc. Lambs are in greater demand 

 for feeders, as they can be fed during the winter and shorn 

 in the spring just before they are ready for the market. This 

 practice affords three possible means of profit; the gain in 

 weight during the feeding period, the margin of profit be- 

 tween buying and selling price, and sale of the wool. 



It is seldom profitable to buy sheep raised on farms in the 

 central, southern, and eastern states. Sheep coming from 

 these regions are likely to be infested with internal parasites 

 and are difficult or impossible to fatten. Western sheep, on 

 the other hand, are rarely infested by parasites. Their poor 

 condition is mainly due to lack of finish. When put on good 

 pastures, or well fed, they usually make rapid gains. 



