196 THE STUDY OF BREEDS. 



(2) American Merinos are possessed of somewhat supe- 

 rior ruggedness, have a wider adaptation for grazing, fare 

 better on indifferent food supplies summer and winter, are 

 superior for crossing where closeness of fine wool and highest 

 hardihood are to be maintained, and have on the whole a 

 shorter and finer fleece of wool and heavier in proportion to 

 the live weight of the animals. 



STANDARD POINTS. 



I. The following is the scale of points drawn 

 up by the Standard Delaine Spanish Merino Sheep 

 Breeders' Association : 



POINTS. 



(1) Pure Merino Blood, which must be established 



by certificate ....... 



(2) Constitution, indicated by a deep chest, long rib 

 well arched, giving heart and lung room, with 

 great digestive capacity ..... 20 



(3) Fleece XX and Delaine Wool This i -hides 

 the quantity and quality as shown by weight of 

 fleece, the length and strength of staple, crimp, 

 fineness and trueness of fiber . . . .10 



(4) Density of fleece 3 



(5) Evenness of surface ...... 3 



(6) Evenness of crimp ...... 3 



(7) Length of fiber 2 



(8) Free Flowing Oil of the best quality and the 

 right quantity to protect the sheep and preserve 

 the fleece 9 



(9) Head, medium size. Ewes showing a feminine 

 appearance; rams, a masculine with properly 

 turned horns ....... 4 



(10) Eyes, bright, prominent and well set apart, with 



thick, soft eyelid ....... 3 



(u) Nose, short, broad with well expanded nostrils, 

 skin thick and covered with a thick, furry coat- 

 ing, joining the wool one inch below the eyes 4 



(12) Ears, medium size, set well apart, thickly coated 2 



(13) Neck, short on top, deep and strongly attached 

 to shoulders, tapering to head ; rams with a fold 

 across the breast, and deep neck ... 4 



(14) Fleece, covering over the entire body, head and 

 legs ; skin thick and spongy .... 4 



(15) Legs, short, strong and well apart ... 2 



(16) Feet, neatly shaped, thin hoof, well set under 

 the leg 4 



(17) Quarters, deep and well rounded; back, broad, 

 straight and strongly coupled to quarters . 10 



