250 Types and Marpcet Classes of Live Stock 



lambs with quality and finish may easily command top prices when 

 they weigh little more than 60 pounds, and that during summer months 

 lambs weighing 65 to 70 pounds are in strong demand, but that there 

 never is a time when lambs weighing 80 pounds will not sell as prime 

 if they have fancy form and quality and prime condition. He also 

 states that the best native lambs weighing 100 pounds occasionally sell 

 as prime lambs, though such cases are exceptional, and he adds that 

 a slight departure from the most popular weight does not lessen the 

 price of the lamb as much as an equal departure from the most desirable 

 quality and condition. 



Foreign material and moisture in the fleece add to the weight, 

 injure the appearance, and lessen the dressing percentage. Buyers 

 either refuse to bid on wet sheep or offer prices which make allowance 

 for the added weight. At most central markets the sheep and hog 



Fig. 85.— Good lambs. 



pens are under roof, but sheep may have wet fleeces upon their arrival 

 in the pens. Mud, sand, manure, and other foreign material in the 

 fleece also result in lower prices. It pays to market all sheep in clean 

 condition. 



Choice lambs. — This grade includes most of the better lamb offer- 

 ings upon the Chicago market. Lambs cannot be very deficient in 

 form, quality, finish, or weight, and grade as choice. Deficiency in 

 quality or in weight frequently accounts for failure to grade as prime, 

 but lack of condition is the most common cause. (See Fig. 84.) 



Good lambs. — Marked deficiency in form, quality, condition, or 

 weight, or a slight deficiency in each, puts the lamb into the good grade. 

 Lack of quality and lack of condition are the most frequent causes of 

 failure to grade higher than good. (See Fig. 85.) 



Medium lambs. — Here the form is frequently faulty, and the con- 

 dition and quality fall far below the standard. Long, narrow, rough 



