SHEEP 



185 



TYPES AND BREEDS OF SHEEP 



Most of the improved breeds of sheep of the present day 

 trace their origin to England; though some came from Spain 

 and some from France. There are two principal types of 

 sheep, namely, the fine wool sheep and the mutton sheep. 



FINE WOOL SHEEP 



Fine wool sheep were the first of the modern types of sheep 

 to be developed. They trace back almost to ancient civiHza- 



FiG. 36. — Oxford ewe. Fitted for show. 



tion and came to us through the southern European countries. 

 Spain is especially noted for the production of this kind of 

 sheep. The United States also had a prominent part in the 

 development and improvement of these animals. 



Sheep of this class produce a large amount of high-class 

 wool. The wool is fine in fiber, good in crimp, dense in fleece, 



