MILK lambs: how to get, grow and market 239 



been commonly practiced for many years, but the sys- 

 tematic breeding of winter lambs does not go back much 

 beyond two decades. The industry has almost entirely 

 grown up since 1890. But few flocks of Dorsets were 

 owned in the United States at the date mentioned. The 

 very considerable distribution of Dorsets since that time 

 has tended much to the advancement of the milk lamb 

 industry. 



Essentials in a milk lamb — With reference to growth 

 in a milk lamb, it must be rapid; otherwise it will not 

 possess the requisite tenderness called for in such lambs, 

 nor would it reach the market at the proper season except 

 when born at an early period for winter lambs. With 

 reference to condition, it must be fat and plump; other- 

 wise it will not grade sufficiently high to command the 

 good prices usually paid for good winter lambs. With 

 reference to form, it should possess good mutton requi- 

 sites with correct form. The breed or grade is not greatly 

 important. It may, however, have some significance, as 

 miniature horns in Dorset lambs have to some extent 

 become recognized as a mark of a true milk lamb. With 

 reference to weight, it should seldom exceed 45 pounds 

 and should seldom fall below 35 pounds. Providing the 

 lambs have sufficient weight and plumpness, the age will 

 not be inquired into, but the growth made must be made 

 rapidly, or the lambs will not be possessed of sufficient 

 plumpness to meet the needs of the market at the weights 

 that are most desirable. These lambs should reach the 

 market while under the age of, say, 10 weeks. 



The time for marketing milk lambs is supremely im- 

 portant in its relation to the business. The best time to 

 market them is subsequently to the holiday season at the 

 end of the year and before the Easter season. Before the 

 holiday season the lambs are not much sought for, be- 

 cause of the extent to which poultry is used. Subse- 

 quently to the Easter period they would reach the mar- 

 ket in competition with early lambs not specially grown 



