of the Vienna Exhibition, 1873. 41 



thence that the specimens of the pure breed contributed bj 

 France Avere sent. The Rambouillet element was strong in the 

 German section, but was entirely absent from the Austrian, and 

 nearl}' so from the Hungarian section. These sheep are large 

 and well formed, and possess superior fattening qualities when 

 compared with other Merino races. The skin is usually free 

 from those large folds of skin, so characteristic of the Electoral 

 and Negretti. The wool is long, fine, thickly set, and strong. 



These various sub-varieties of the Merino race are almost 

 exclusively maintained for the purpose of producing wool. 

 Accordingly we find all extensive flocks divided into several sec- 

 tions differing from each other in the fineness or quality of their 

 fleeces. A large flock is divided as follows : (1) Prima ; (2) Super 

 Prima ; (3) Elector ; (4) Super-Elector ; (5) Super-super-Elector. 

 I am informed that in Saxony, the distinction is even carried 

 higher, and that they make a " Super-super-super-Elector " grade. 

 They also employ the term secunda, to represent a degree of 

 coarseness below prima, making in all 7 degrees of fineness. 

 The finest-woolled sheep are drafted into the stud or " pepinier "^ 

 flock, and this promotion is determined by the quality of the wool 

 rather than by form or flesh. Every April the sheep are classed 

 according to the fineness, length, and thick growth of the wool, 

 and the following points are considered important : — 



Strength of fibre. This is indicated by the amount of grease 

 in the wool — plenty of fat or grease indicating strength. The 

 fat exists in three forms. Soft or liquid, which again may 

 be a rich yellow or white ; middle fat, yellow and white ; and 

 lastly, broken stiff fat, yellow and white. Of these, the oily or 

 liquid fat is considered best in Germany, while in Hungary, the 

 middle fat is more suitable to the climate. 



Fineness. The wool should be equally fine over the whole- 

 body, but a coarser quality may j'ig. 12.— Grim'ps of the Fibre of 

 be expected on the top of the Merino-wool. 



shoulders and rump, and a weaker ^ 

 quality on the belly. It is with S 

 regard to fineness that the above | 

 classification of Prima, Elector, \ 

 6cc., is made. The finest samples | 

 of wool are usually not more than < 

 two finger-breadths in length. > 



Curl. This is important, and | 

 refers to the minute bends or S 

 crimps which are seen in each I 

 hair ; a long, straight, plain \ ' 



wave in the fibre, as in B, Fig. 12, A B C 



is not liked, neither is an abrupt close wave which folds back upon 



