THE WOOL BREEDS OF SHEEP 371 



455. Uses of American Merino sheep. American 

 Merinos surpass all others in the production of a fine, strong 

 and heavy fleece. Mature ewes frequently shear twelve 

 to fifteen pounds, and rams should attain to twenty pounds. 

 Plumb, quoting from a Vermont report, says that in 1812, 

 the best rams in Vermont produced but 6 per cent of wool 

 to weight of body. In 1844, the wool had increased to 

 15 per cent, in 1865 to 21 per cent and in 1880 to 36 per 

 cent, showing a very notable increase in the production of 

 wool. Unfortunately we do not know what the increase 

 in per cent of scoured wool has been. 



The American Merino does not usually fatten so readily 

 as other types of the Merino ; and when compared with 

 the mutton breeds it is inferior. 



In the West, the American Merino was largely instru- 

 mental in transforming the coarse and thin-wooled 

 Mexican ewe into one of far better and heavier fleece, 

 with also better form and increased hardiness. The 

 American Merino has been much used for crossing in 

 this country and others, and the result is invariably an 

 improvement in wool-production in the grade over its 

 other parent. Merino ewes are crossed with some of 

 the middle-wool breeds to produce a good market mutton 

 sheep, yielding a somewhat smaller clip of wool. 



456. Distribution. In America, the American Me- 

 rino is widely scattered, and does well under very diverse 

 conditions. It is hardy and active, and can glean a living 

 under unfavorable conditions. It has been largely ex- 

 ported to Australia and Africa. In Australia, Merinos 

 are bred pure. In New Zealand, they are largely inter- 

 mixed with sheep of mutton type. 



457. Organizations and records. The Merino has 

 suffered from an overabundance of distinct organiza- 



