THE WOOL BREEDS OF SHEEP 36? 



hot, dry ranges well suited to their needs, and to the 

 production of a high grade of wool. 



443. Description. The distinguishing characteristic 

 of the Merino is its covering, which is of very fine wool, 

 usually delicately crimped. This wool is generally short, 

 ranging from an inch or less to four inches, and sometimes 

 to a greater length. It is dense, that is, there are a great 

 number of wool fibers to the square inch of skin. A 

 Merino will carry 40,000 to 48,000 fibers to the square 

 inch. Wool normally grows over the Merino to the tips 

 of the ears and to the hoofs of the feet. In the Merino 

 is seen the greatest development of wool in proportion to 

 carcass of any breed. In Spain, the best rams of the early 

 days are reported to have yielded about 6 to 8 per cent 

 of their weight in wool, while in America, in about 1844, 

 the yield had increased to 15 per cent. This, of course, 

 is unwashed wool. The appearance of the Merino is not 

 very pleasing. The form, seen when shorn, is usually 

 angular, the shoulders often narrow, the back not usually 

 so straight or strong as in some English breeds, the legs 

 less straight and often of greater length, the neck more 

 slender. The Merino ram usually has horns, giving the 

 appearance of masculine vigor. The appearance of weak- 

 ness in the Merino is hardly borne out by its behavior. 

 It is very enduring and resistant, withstanding storm, 

 cold and starvation better than most sheep, and its vital 

 force is very strong. 



450. Uses of Merino sheep. Merino sheep are kept 

 primarily for their wool. It is true that, after they have 

 served their time for this purpose, they are commonly 

 fattened and made into mutton, yet the fleece is usually 

 the first consideration with the Merino flockmaster. 

 Much attention is paid to the quantity and quality of 



