370 



THE BREEDS OF LIVE-STOCK 



FIG. 72. American Merino ram. 



The skin is of the most attractive pink. The prevailing 



fashion is to have three to five heavy folds on the neck, 



large on the under side, but not on the upper side; 



two or three short folds on 

 and immediately back of 

 each elbow or arm; fine, 

 thick wrinkles running down 

 the sides, but not extending 

 over the back. Wrinkles 

 may also be found across 

 the hips, sometimes from 

 the tail in the direction of 

 the stifle and sometimes at 



right angles with them. Folds may occur around the tail 



to give it a wide appearance, and also across the thigh, 



with a deep flank. The fleece 



covers the entire sheep, 



except the tip of the nose 



and the hoofs. Usually the 



eyes are hidden by wool. 



The outside of the fleece is a 



dirty brown, but inside it is 



white and glistening. The 



one-year-old fleece will show 



a length of about two and 



one-half inches. The size of 



the American Merino varies 



much. Ewes may weigh 80 or 100 pounds, rams 100 or 



175 pounds. (Figs. 72, 73.) 

 The American Merino does not reach maturity until 



between three and four years of age, and in this respect 



ranks below other breeds. It is characterized, however, 



by longevity. 



FIG. 73. American Merino ewe. 



