1 86 THE STUDY OF BREEDS. 



(3) Prominent among the early improvers stand the names 

 of Stephen Atwood, Woodbury, Conn. ; Edwin Hammond, 

 Middlebury, Vt., and the Hon. C. Rich, Shoreham, Vt. 



VIII. Organizations. 



(1) Probably more than a dozen organizations have been 

 formed in the United States in the interests of American 

 Merinos. 



(2) Several of these are local, since they restrict registra- 

 tion to a single state. 



(3) The number of these organizations and the conflict 

 of interest which of necessity has grown out of them has in 

 some instances been harmful rather than helpful to the breed. 



IX. Distribution of Merinos in the United 

 States. 



(1) Merinos and their grades are now bred numerously 

 in almost every state and territory in the Union. 



(2) About a quarter of a century ago they were thought 

 to comprise 95 per cent of all the sheep in the United States. 



(3) During recent years the relative proportion of Merinos 

 has been greatly reduced by the increased attention given to 

 the production of sheep of the mutton breeds. 



(4) While they are found almost everywhere they prevail 

 most in states where the conditions, food and climate are less 

 propitious, as, for instance, in the range states. 



X. Registration in the United States. 



(1) It is almost impossible to state accurately the number 

 of registered Merinos, because of the decadent condition of 

 some of the organizations. 



(2) The increased demand during recent years for sheep 

 of the mutton types and for wool longer and less fine than the 

 Spanish Merinos furnish, has given them a less prominent 

 place relatively than they formerly occupied. 



LEADING CHARACTERISTICS. 



I. Relative size. 



(1) The Merinos are among the lightest of the pedigreed 

 breeds in the United States, and 



(2) The average weight of the rams in fairly good flesh 

 may be put at about 140 to 175 pounds and of the ewes at about 

 90 to 125 pounds, but the weights of Merinos vary much with 

 variations in environment. 



