THE WOOL BREEDS OF SHEEP 379 



V 



three inches in length. The head is larger in proportion 

 than in the American Merino, the nose strongly aquiline 

 and covered with fine, white hair or short, fine wool. 

 The rams usually have large, spirally curved horns, 

 although horns may be entirely lacking. The ewes are 

 hornless. Sometimes the observer is impressed by the 

 length of leg. The Rambouillet is also characterized by 

 hardiness, early maturity, longevity and prolificacy. 



467. Uses of Rambouillet sheep. As a wool-pro- 

 ducer, the Rambouillet ranks below the other Merinos in 

 percentage of fleece to body weight, and in fineness and 

 the amount of oil and crimp, although it ranks well when 

 compared with other breeds of sheep. The average yield 

 of fleece is about fifteen pounds for rams and ten pounds 

 for ewes. 



The Rambouillet fattens well, although not equaling 

 the English breeds in this respect, and produces a fair 

 quality of mutton. Rambouillets on the ranges have 

 great popularity, owing to their large size, hardiness and 

 the ability of the ewes to hold their wool well with ad- 

 vanced age. Rambouillet ewes are prolific and good 

 mothers, and their lambs are usually hardy and strong at 

 birth, and come on fast. 



For cross-breeding, the Rambouillet is in great favor. 

 Crossed with sheep of any of the mutton breeds it nicks 

 well, making a very fine lamb, large, quick to fatten, and 

 having a good, heavy fleece of excellent wool. It is also 

 used very successfully on American Merinos to produce 

 a smoother lamb of greater size and hardiness. 



468. Distribution. The demand for these sheep has 

 been wide, especially for the purpose of improving wool- 

 production by crossing on other breeds. Aside from those 

 brought to North America, importations have been made 



