'600 BULLETIN No. 129. [November, 



are more profitable, hence wethers are being discarded by the more 

 progressive sheepmen. 



As a mutton product, wethers are desired in hotel, restaurant, 

 dining car, and steamship trade, or in any place where the com- 

 paratively heavier cuts may be used to advantage. 



The following grades include the offerings appearing on the 

 markets: PRIME, CHOICE, GOOD, COMMON. 



PRIME WETHERS 



The same conformation, quality, and condition are demanded 

 in prime wethers that have already been noted as characteristic of 

 prime yearlings. The most desirable weights range from 95 to 

 no pounds, and are popularly known as light, handy weights. 

 However, wethers weighing 140 pounds and upwards frequently 

 grade as prime if their heavy weight is accompanied by desirable 

 conformation, quality and condition. These prime heavy wethers 

 are selected for export and for a limited demand in a few large 

 cities, notably Chicago, New York and Boston. See plates 13, 

 14 and 15. 



CHOICE WETHERS 



Choice wethers must possess quality and condition to a marked 

 degree. Quality in this instance applies more particularly to light- 

 ness of pelt and to freedom from paunchiness than to coarseness 

 of features. Wethers of this grade must also come under the 

 light, handy or the heavy weights. Cho'ce wethers are used in 

 the same way as prime wethers, and both are sought by dealers 

 in high class mutton. The choice wether is usually slightly short 

 of prime in form, quality and condition. See plate 16. 



GOOD WETHERS 



Good wethers are characterized by coarseness and lack of prime 

 condition. They do not command the highest prices because they 

 do not dress a high percentage of marketable meat, nor yield a 

 quality of mutton satisfactory to a high class trade. If wethers 

 are pronounced in their weight of pelt, but. covered with thick fat, 

 they will come in this grade unless of undesirable weight. Fre- 

 quently wethers of choice condition and quality, and weighing 120 

 to 135 pounds, are placed in the good grade because their weight 

 is not adapted to the purpose for which they are desired. They 

 are +00 heavy for light, handy purposes, and too light for heavy 

 carcass purposes. See plate 17. 



