198 THE DOMESTIC SHEEP. 



moiitli or two more, to get them into better condition. This 

 suggestion means to the owner a loss of money on his con- 

 signment, perhaps a dollar a hundred pounds, which might 

 have been saved by two or three weeks longer feeding, by 

 which not only the value would have been increased in pro- 

 portion to the condition, but as to the increased weight as 

 well. It is to get this condition that many farmers buy 

 stock in the markets that are as yet only feeders, and not 

 finished for the butcher, and get such animals at such a less 

 price, that it pays the purchasers to take them home and 

 feed them, adding to the weight by which a good profit 

 is made, and getting as a bonus the enhanced value due to 

 the improved condition. 



The first test of condition is smoothness of the carcass. 

 The bones are well covered, and the body is round and well 

 filled up. Some animals are better shaped for this than 

 others, and these the professional feeder calls "good feed- 

 ers." That is, their bones are not so prominent, the back- 

 bone does not form a ridge along the back, the sides are 

 deep, the ribs are well arched, the neck is short, the head 

 fine, and small, and the legs well spread apart. You cannot 

 build a broad house on a narrow foundation, and an animal 

 must have the right shape before it may be profitably put 

 into really good condition. The figure will in no part be 

 regular or thin, but round and full, with soft flesh which 

 covers the bones, and to which the skin is loosely attached. 

 The outside is a key to the condition of the inside, and we 

 are to judge by the outer form and feeling, what, the actual 

 condition will be when the carcass is exposed to view in the 

 butcher's stall. It is a good plan for those concerned in 

 feeding sheep for market, to visit a great city and stroll 

 through the markets there, and talk with the market men. 

 Many valuable hints may thus be procured which will be 

 useful in the rearing of market animals. 



Generally it is the larger animals which are defective 

 in condition. Size is of no account unless the condition is 

 satisfactory. A lamb may match the si/e most desired, but 

 it, is not weight alone which gives value. Another may be 

 ten or twenty pounds over the average weight desired, and 

 yet may bring a better price for the reason that its condition 

 is better than that of a smaller animal. It is to be thought 



