2 SHEEP FEEDING 



the subclasses into grades or give a description of what con- 

 stitutes a prime, choice, good, medium, or common sheep. 

 The classes and subclasses named here are those recognized 

 on all our markets, and are the ones most important for 

 a feeder to know when buying or selling sheep. 



Classes Subclasses 



Lambs 



Yearlings 

 Natives . ■ ■ ■ ^ ^\'ethers 



Ewes 



Rams and cull sheep 



Lambs 



Yearlings 

 Westerns j Wethers 



Ewes 



Rams and cull sheep 



Native Sheep 



Two general classes of feeding sheep. All feeding sheep 

 may be divided into two broad and general classes, natives 

 and A\"esterns. By native sheep we mean those that come 

 from the middle and eastern states. As a rule they can be 

 distinguished by a predominance of Down ^ blood, shown in 

 a more or less rounded and compact form, dark color of face 

 and legs, smooth unwrinkled skin or pelt (which refers to 

 both wool and skin), and a rather compact coating of medium 

 wool. The first native sheep that reach the markets, the 

 lambs, generally come in May. These early shipments and 

 all that are marketed before the hot days of summer are 

 eagerly sought by the killers. From this time on, however, 

 stomach worms, flies, warm weather, and short pastures make 



1 "Down," or "Downs," refers to onr breeds of sheep called Oxfords, 

 Hampshires, Shropshires, and Southdowns. 



