346 



MARKET CLASSES OF SHEEP 



ranging in weight from. 65 to 70 pounds. There never is a time, 

 however, when lambs weighing 80 pounds will not sell as prime 

 provided they are prime in form, quality, and condition. Occasion- 

 ally native lambs showing the best form, quality, and condition, will 

 sell as prime lambs even though they reach 100 pounds in weight. 

 Such cases are exceptional, and no one could expect to market 

 lambs of this weight regularly and Always have them grade as prime. 

 " Quality and condition are of direct interest to the packer in 

 that they influence the percentage of marketable meat secured, but 



FIG. 205. Prime lambs, uniform, shapely, showing quality fat and tree from wrinkles. 



weight is a factor regulated almost entirely by the consumer, who 

 may be very exacting if prices are high. It is believed that in the 

 combination of tenderness, juiciness, and flavor the flesh from the 

 lighter lamb is not superior to that of the heavier lamb. But in 

 making selections from the lighter carcass the average consumer 

 feels more fully assured that he is getting lamb and not mutton, and 

 the size of the cuts from the smaller carcass is more convenient 

 for his use. 



"What has been said in the above discussion about the form, 

 quality, and condition of the prime lamb is in the main true of any 

 subclass of mutton sheep. Any animal that is markedly deficient in 

 either form, quality, or condition will not meet the demnads of the 



