594 BULLETIN No. 129. [November, 



term; the other, to the number a buyer may have the privilege to 

 reject when purchasing a band of lambs or sheep at a given price. 

 Therefore, in defining the lowest grade of lambs, the term "com- 

 mon," is less confusing than the term, "cull." See plate 9. 



YEARLINGS 



Yearlings are used as a substitute for lambs in the meat trade. 

 The ability of the animal to substitute in this way depends upon 

 its weight, quality, condition, and immaturity. An index greatly 

 depended upon for identifying the carcass of a young sheep, or 

 lamb, is what is known as the "break joint," which is found im- 

 mediately above the pastern joint. The leg easily severs at the 

 "break joint," leaving a reddish, porous, indented surface over 

 which there is a slight, viscid like secretion easily noticeable to the 

 touch. The presence of this joint in the live animal is best de- 

 termined by feeling just above the pastern joint for a bony-like 

 prominence, which is a true indication of it. It disappears when 

 the sheep becomes mature, and a sheep that does not have it cannot 

 class as a yearling. The yearling class is composed exclusively of 

 wethers because the "break joint" disappears in ewes at about the 

 time they pass out of the lamb class. Lambs born the year previ- 

 ous to the time they appear on the market pass out of the lamb 

 class about July first, and from that time the wethers are called 

 yearlings until they are too far toward maturity to "break" as the 

 salesmen and buyers familiarly refer to the "break joint." 



Yearlings are commonly designated upon the market as 

 "lights" and "heavies." These terms, as they would indicate, refer 

 to weights. Thus we frequently hear the phrases "prime lights" 

 and "prime heavies," by which is meant the quality and condition 

 of animals coming within certain limits of weight rather than their 

 desirability as mutton. And hence, it is felt that "lights" and 

 "heavies" are not strictly logical terms upon which to base grada- 

 tions in this class. 



Since yearlings are used to take the place of lambs, the nearer 

 they approach the quality, condition, and weight of prime lambs, 

 the more satisfactorily will they accomplish the purpose for which 

 they are intended. Any great departure in any of the above char- 

 acteristics as applied to prime lambs will seriously affect the de- 

 sirability of yearlings and if they are low in condition they are 

 practically out of consideration as such. Therefore, the basis upon 

 which yearlings are given a place, surrounds them with so many 

 requirements that it is impossible for them to be included under 

 many different grades. 



