FARM ANIMALS 243 



the Merinos are the lightest of all the improved 

 breeds of sheep. They are perhaps more easily 

 adaptable to all kinds of climate and other con- 

 ditions than any other breed and are excellent 

 grazers but do not mature very early and are some- 

 what lacking in the quality of the meat. The 

 Merino, as is well-known, produces the finest 

 wool of all sheep and is, therefore, gradually 

 dispossessing other sheep in the region where 

 sheep raising for mutton is not considered prof- 

 itable. The Delaine Merino is for the most 

 part the American Merino with a larger body. A 

 number of varieties have been developed from 

 this breed, some of which are perhaps destined to 

 become independent breeds. A polled family 

 has been established under the name of the Polled 

 Dickinson Merino. The Delaines are heavier 

 than the American Merino, but somewhat lighter 

 than the Rambouillet. The latter breed is de- 

 scended from the Spanish Merino and improved by 

 careful breeding and selection. It is now in high 

 favor throughout the western range states on ac- 

 count of its comparatively early maturing quality 

 and great hardiness. 



The Southdowns are commonly mentioned first 

 among the improved breeds of mutton sheep, 

 partly for the reason that they are the basis for 

 the development of the various Down breeds of 

 sheep. The fleece is white with a moderate 

 amount of yolk, the face of a brown or gray color, 

 the breast wide, and the general form that of an 

 ideal mutton sheep. 



The Dorset has a number of distinguishing 

 characteristics, among them the fact that both 

 sexes bear horns and that the ewes breed at almost 

 any time of the year. They produce a large per- 



