TYPES AND MARKET CLASSES OF LIVE STOCK 



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Classification of fine-wooled sheep. Breeders of fine- 

 wooled sheep and the managers of the larger sheep shows group 

 or classify American Merinos into three classes or sub-types, 

 known respectively as A, B, and C. As already pointed out, 

 breeders of Merinos have differed in their ideals for a number 

 of years, and this has resulted in three fairly well-defined classes. 

 The classification is based chiefly on the character of the fleece, 

 the number and position of the folds or wrinkles, the size and 

 weight of the animal, and the development of mutton qualities. 



Fig. 77. Class C Merino Ram. 



Class A. These are the smallest and most wrinkly of the 

 three classes, and have the finest, densest, and heaviest fleeces, 

 the shortest wool, the most yolk, the poorest mutton- qualities, 

 and the poorest form. Rams weigh about 140 pounds, fleece 

 off; and ewes about 100 pounds. There are heavy folds all over 

 the sheep, except over the back. A good ram should shear 

 close to 30 pounds, and a ewe about 20 pounds. These weights 

 for fleeces represent high standards. The length of fiber is from 

 \ l /2 to 2 }/2 inches. The wool shrinks about 70 per cent, on the 

 average when scoured. The form of the A Merino is most 

 narrow, rangy, leggy, and irregular in lines of the three classes, 



