196 THE AMERICAN MERINO 



type in Chapter VI fits the A-type Merino fairly well. Mention 

 should be made, however, of its deep body and comparatively short 

 legs. Mature rams in full fleece weigh from 130 to 160 pounds and 

 ewes from 90 to 125 pounds (Figs. 132 and 133). 



The B-Type. As compared with the A-type, the B-type carries 

 more mutton and fewer folds or wrinkles. Three to four large 

 folds are to be found on the neck, fairly prominent ones appear at 

 the flanks and around the dock, and a goodly number of small ones 

 on the thighs and sides of the body. As a group, the representa- 

 tives of the B-type are somewhat fuller in the thighs, wider and 

 higher sprung in the ribs, and perhaps slightly thicker through 

 the shoulders than those of the A-type. Mature rams weigh from 

 140 to 170 pounds and ewes from 100 to 125 pounds. 



In most respects the wool of the B-type is similar to that of the 

 A-type, but the fibers tend to be a little longer and there is slightly 

 less yolk, which, together with the fact that the surface of the skin 

 is relatively less, makes the percentage of fleece to body weight less 

 than in the A-type. The average run of stud rams will shear close to 

 25 pounds and the ewes about 16 pounds (Figs. 134 and 135). 



The C-Type or Delaine. The body of the C-type is free from 

 folds and only two or three small ones appear on the neck. It is 

 considered objectionable if the neck folds are at all prominent on 

 top of the neck. As compared with the B-type American Merino, 

 the C-type is more desirable as a mutton animal not only because its 

 pelt is smooth, but also because its body is wider, the thighs better 

 filled, and the flesh thicker. Most C-type strains are somewhat 

 larger than the A-type sheep. Rams range from 150 to 200 pounds 

 in weight, and ewes from 100 to 150 pounds. The rams are both 

 horned and hornless, as the owners of the various strains are not 

 agreed on the matter of horns in males. All of the ewes are 

 hornless. 



The wool of the C-type is at least three inches long when of 

 twelve months' growth. All things considered, it is the best grease 

 wool, i.e., wool just as it comes from the sheep's back, produced in 

 America, being fine, strong, soft, and of lighter shrinkage than 

 other fine wools. To be typical the fleece should be carried evenly 

 with respect to length and fineness over all parts of the body and it 

 should extend well over the face and legs. Rams shear from 15 to 

 25 pound's of unwashed wool and ewes from 10 to 15 pounds 

 (Figs. 136 and 137). 



