1908.] 



MARKET CLASSES AND GRADES OF SHEEP. 



597 



PLATE u. CHOICE YEARLINGS. 



pass into the wether class. Those of more than 90 pounds weight, 

 although they may be in prime condition, rarely grade better than 

 choice. If yearlings are graded as choice because of their lack in 

 quality it is usually on account of their heavy pelts rather than 

 coarseness of features, or a combination of the two where the de- 

 ficiency in each is rather slight. There cannot be a great difference 

 between the condition of prime and choice yearlings and, in fact, 

 the total difference between them is not great. See plate n. 



GOOD YEARLINGS 



With a few scattered exceptions this is the lowest grade of 

 yearlings offered as mutton. Undesirable quality, weight, or con- 

 dition or a combination of deficiencies in any two or all three of 

 the above will, if readily apparent, place a yearling in the good 

 grade. Yearlings of no pounds and upwards rarely grade better 

 than good, even though they be prime in every other respect. Ill 

 form, general coarseness, and undue weight of pelt are all serious 

 objections and those having such defects are nearly always placed 

 in this grade. A rather frequent combination, placing yearlings in 

 the good grade, is underfinished condition and undesirable quality. 

 If yearlings are assigned to this grade solely because of a want of 

 fat, they are almost on the border line between the mutton and the 

 feeder class and are not much wanted by either packers or feeder 

 buyers. See plate 12. 



