CHAPTER XIII 

 THE WOOL BREEDS OF SHEEP 



THESE breeds are all derivates or subdivisions of the 

 great Merino group, so that wool and Merino are synon- 

 ymous. The wool type bears much the same relation to 

 the mutton type of sheep that the dairy type bears to 

 the beef type of cattle. Their form is of less scale, more 

 angular, narrower, with lighter quarters, and the sheep 

 are slower maturing and yield a carcass deficient in flesh- 

 ing and finish. On the other hand, they produce fleeces 

 of the finest staple and in greatest quantity. 



MERINO SHEEP. Plate XIV. 

 By Joseph E. Wing 



445. Of the Merinos there are several families, all of 

 which are characterized by the production of fine fleece. 

 The name " Merino " comes from Spain and has been 

 variously explained. 



446. History in Spain. Merino sheep are native of 

 Spain. The land is of variable topography, there being 

 wide, dry plains, high, cool mountains and tablelands and 

 well-watered valleys. 



As to the origin of the Merino, little is known. Pro- 

 fessor Low says that the sheep of Spain came originally, 

 from Phoenicia and Carthage, introduced by the Car- 



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