THE AMERICAN MERINO. 189 



(c) Chest, wide. 



(d) Breast, wide, deep and at least moderately full. 



(e) Brisket, low, wide and rounded and extending well 

 in front. 



(7) Barrel Moderately long and roomy. 



(a) Ribs, round and deep, though frequently lacking in 

 spring, which is of course objectionable. 



(b) Crops, full and even. 



(c) Flanks, full and deep. 



(d) Heart girth, good. 



(e) Underline, straight. 



(8) Hindquarters Long, deep, wide. 



(a) Hips, large and full. 



(b) Crupper, straight, not drooped, nor sloping outwardly. 



(c) Thighs, plump. 



(d) Buttock, wide, straight. 

 (e} Twist, well rilled and low. 



(9) Legs Short, strong and straight. 



(a) They should be placed wide apart and should stand 

 firmly. 



(b) The wool, which covers them to the hoof, makes 

 them appear larger than they are. 



(io]Skin Thin, mellow, elastic, loose and of a rich rose 

 or pink color. 



(a) Excessive wrinkling or folding of the skin is not so 

 much encouraged now, but 



(b) Heavy neck folds on the rams are still in favor with 

 many. 



(n) Fleece The fleece should contain fine wool from two 

 to three inches long, evenly distributed and even in quality. 



(a) It should present a dense, smooth, even surface or 

 exterior, opening only in the natural cracks which separate 

 the masses. 



(b) It should stand at right angles to the skin. 



(c) It should possess even strength of fiber from end 

 to end. 



(d) It should be wrinkled, curved or crimped, and should 

 be highly elastic. 



(e) Regularity and beauty of curvature are considered 

 important. 



(f) Hairs growing up through the wool in any part is 

 quite inadmissible. 



IT. General Appearance In general appear- 

 ance the American Merino is a somewhat small and 

 deep-bodied sheep of only moderate width, encased 

 in a fleece of very fine, close, short and dense wool 



