SYSTEMATIC IMPROVEMENT OF ANIMALS 197 
even horses, definite classes and grades! have long since been 
established. There are now no less than seven classes and 
forty-eight grades of market cattle, eight classes and twenty- 
seven grades of swine, eleven classes and twenty-one subclasses 
of horses, and seven classes and forty grades of sheep, a few 
of which are shown in illustrations accompanying this chapter 
(Figs. 27-33). The value of these different grades varies of 
course at different times, but relatively the upper grades are 
out of all proportion with the lower. A careful study of these 
relative values will convince the student of what can be done 
by breeding. 
Knowledge of market requirements needful. It is important 
that the stockman have pretty definite knowledge of market 
requirements, because they are the standard by which his ani- 
mals must be sold and by which he will be paid. Want of this 
information is the cause of thousands of “ unclassed ”’ ? animals 
upon the market. It is hardly necessary to remark that such 
animals make the owners little or no money. If, on the other 
hand, the owner knows in advance what the market will demand, 
he can shape his ideals and selections accordingly and thereby 
produce what the buyer really wants. Here is where accurate 
knowledge and intelligence are necessary to the best success 
in the live-stock business. 
Exercise. Make a careful study of Chapter XVII, Part II, and get 
practice in stock judging, as outlined in the Appendix. 
Reference. The Breeders’ Gazette, which ought to be regularly taken 
by the school. 
1¥or market classes and grades of cattle see Au//elin 78, Experiment 
Station, University of Illinois; for those of swine, see Audletin g7; for horses, 
see Bulletin 122; and for sheep, Bulletin 129. Professor Mumford, head of 
the department of Animal Husbandry, began this important series of publica- 
tions with the bulletin on cattle, which was followed by the others mentioned, 
prepared respectively by his associates, Professor Dietrich, Mr. Obrecht, and 
Mr. Coffey. In all cases the material was prepared in the stockyards, then 
submitted to the best experts, and may be considered as authentic. 
2 An unclassed animal is one that does not fall into any of the recognized 
desirable classes. Such animals make their way into the lower grades, and, 
as the supply always exceeds the demand, go for an extremely low price. 
