CHAPTER XVII 



SHEEP 

 By Eussell \V. Duck, B.S.A., M.S.* 



Types and breeds. — There are three principal classes of 

 sheep, (1) fine-wool; (2) medium-wool; (3) long-wool. 



Fine-wool breeds. — The fine-wool breeds are the American 

 and Delaine Merinos and the Eambouillets. All fine-wools trace 

 back to Spanish origin, where they were raised as early as the 

 eighth century. This class of sheep is well adapted to large 

 open tracts of land, as they flock well, and their dense wool is 

 excellent protection against the elements. Fine-wool ewes are 

 used some for early lamb production, as they can sometimes be 

 mated in the spring. In general people living on small farms, 

 who raise only a few sheep, have found it more profitable to 

 raise either pure bred or grade mutton sheep instead of fine- 

 wools. 



The American Merino was produced principally in New Eng- 

 land, by selection. The fineness of fiber, folds of skin and 

 mutton qualities determine the class in which a merino belongs. 

 Extremely wrinkled skin is always associated with very dense, 

 fine fiber, and lack of mutton characteristics. Merinos of this 

 class are called type A; they usually carry a large per cent of 

 Spanish and American Merino blood. Those having folds over 

 the neck and shoulder, smooth bodied with heavier fleshing and 

 more open fleece are classed as type B ; these also are largely of 

 Spanish and American extraction. C type Merinos are prac- 

 tically free from folds in their skin; their wool is not so fine and 

 dense, and they carry considerably more mutton ; Rambouillets 

 and Delaines are the breeds which make up this type. 



Rambouillets, like all other fine-wools, trace back to Spanish 

 origin. They were established as a breed in France during the 

 latter part of the eighteenth century. They are larger in size 

 than the other fine-wool breeds, carry more flesh, with less 

 density and fineness of fleece. 



The Delaine Merino was produced by selection from the 

 American Merino in order to give a type showing more mutton 

 and constitution. 



* Professor of Animal Husbandry, Syracuse University. 



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