Types and Market Classes of Live Stock 



273 



nized the significance of good feeding qualities. A strong appetite is 

 evidence of constitution, thrift, lustiness, and health, and indicates a 

 disposition to develop quickly and make economical gains. 



The ram should exhibit strong sexual characters, 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 





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Fig. 97. — Correct type in the mutton breeding ram. Southdown ram, Babra- 

 ham Bumper, champion at the English Royal Show. Bred and owned by C. Adeane, 

 Babraham Hall, Cambridge, England. Note the masculine head and neck, blocky 

 body, heavy leg of mutton, and good bone of this ram. 



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

 the pasterns strong, the bone ample, and the legs straight. Weakness 

 in the hind legs is of more consequence than weakness in front, as it 

 is more likely to affect the usefulness of the ram as a breeder. 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. 



