604 BULLETIN No. 129. [November, 



KWES 



This sub-class is composed of yearling ewes, surplus breeding 

 ewes, and those no longer useful for breeding purposes. As these 

 different sources indicate, there are wide differences in the age, 

 condition, and weight of the various offerings of ewes appearing 

 on the market. 



Ewes do not sell on a par with wethers because they have, pro- 

 portionately, a greater percentage of offal and a smaller amount of 

 lean meat. Except in times of urgent demand for mutton, prime 

 wethers sell for at least fifty cents per hundred-weight more than 

 prime ewes. However, when the demand for mature mutton is 

 strong the difference is often no more than twenty-five cents. The 

 higher grades of ewes are used by dealers in high-class mutton for 

 hotel and. restaurant trade, but they, of course, are not as desirable 

 as the better grades of wethers. They function somewhat as a 

 supplement to wethers. The lower grades are used in cheap city 

 trade and in districts such as mining camps, where there is a call 

 for cheap mutton. 



Ewes are graded as follows : PRIME, CHOICE, GOOD, MEDIUM, 

 COMMON or CtltLS. 



PRIME EWES 



Smooth, highly finished native and western yearling ewes, and 

 a very small number of well-bred, aged native ewes of prime qual- 

 ity and in prime condition, comprise the offerings in this grade. 

 Since the bulk of yearling ewes are sold for breeding purposes the 

 total offerings of prime ewes are small. Prime yearling ewes may 

 be not entirely above criticism in quality and condition, but be- 

 cause they are light in weight, they meet with ready sale. The 

 strongest demand is for weights not greater than 100 oounds. 

 However, large, smooth, aged ewes in prime condition sell as 

 prime ewes. The supply of such ewes is meager and they go to a 

 trade that could not handle many of them. See plate 19. 



CHOICE EWES 



Ewes of this grade must show development to a high degree 

 in form, quality and condition, as they are placed to the same use 

 as prime ewes. They may be slightly faulty in quality, condition 

 or weight, but they are usually criticised for their lack either of 

 quality or condition. Grain-fattened western ewes frequently sell 

 as choice. See plate 20. 



