LINCOLN SHEEP. 265 



(2) They have not been so numerously introduced into 

 Canada and the United States as many of the other breeds. 



(3) They were first imported into the United States by 

 Leonard D. Gift of Carmel, N. Y., in 1836. 



VI. Organizations. 



(1) The breeders of Lincolns have been somewhat slow 

 in organizing. 



(2) The National American Lincoln Sheep Breeders' 

 Association was organized in 1891. 



VII. Distribution in the United States and 

 Canada. 



(1) Lincoln sheep are distributed throughout many of the 

 northern and middle states and in several of the provinces of 

 Canada. 



(2) They are most numerous in Michigan, Wisconsin, 

 Illinois, Colorado and Ohio, and probably in the order named. 



VIII. Registration in the United States. 



(1) There have been recorded 6,215 animals by the 

 National Lincoln Sheep Breeders' Association. 



(2) Of these about 2,500 are rams and the remainder ewes. 



LEADING CHARACTERISTICS. 



I. Relative size. 



(1) Lincolns are considered the largest and heaviest of 

 the domesticated breeds, and their weight is even greater rela- 

 tively than their size. 



(2) The average weight of matured rams in good flesh 

 may be put at 275 to 300 pounds and of ewes at 225 to 250 

 pounds. 



II. Adaptability. 



(1) Lincolns are best adapted to arable sections where 

 production is abundant and where the pastures are level rather 

 than hilly. 



(2) When kept in the pure form they are best adapted to 

 an intensive cultivation, but when crossed upon Merinos the 

 progeny do well on the ranges. 



III. Early maturing qualities. 



(1) Lincolns mature very quickly for their great size, but 



(2) On the condition that food supplies are plentiful all 

 the time. 



