250 MERINOS. 



the darker sheep were more hardy, and better able to endure the rough 

 winter weather of that latitude than were those of lighter cast. It is 

 believed that Mr. Berry was the first to apply the name "Black-Tops," 

 and that he did so to distinguish them from the light colored, delicate 

 Saxon Merinos, which for a time were bred in the vicinity. 



By permission of the secretary, W. G. Berry, of Houstonville, 

 Pa., we make the following authoritative extracts from Vol. I. of the 

 Black-Top Spanish Merino Sheep Register : 



DESCRIPTION AND CHARACTERISTICS. 



"Constitution indicated by physical development; deep and large in the breast 

 and through the heart ; broad back ; very heavy, square quarters ; skin of fine texture 

 and pinkish in color ; expansive nostril ; brilliant eye ; healthful countenance, and good 

 feeders. 



"In good condition, with fleece of five months' growth, full grown rams should 

 weigh not lesss than 175 pounds, and ewes not less than 125 pounds. 



" Head carried well up; standing squarely on feet and legs; well rounded body, 

 showing in all points symmetry of form ; body throughout heavy boned, well propor- 

 tioned in length ; smooth joints, ribs starting horizontally from the back bone, and well 

 around to breast bone ; breast bone wide, strong and prominent in front ; strong, 

 straight, and heavy back bone ; heavy, muscular quarters ; shoulders broad and flat ; 

 muscles firm and heavy, and body entirely free from folds. There may be a slight 

 throatiness, and a small dewlap smaller on the ewes than on the rams. 



"The head should be wide, with clear, bright eyes and prominent ears. Ewes 

 should give no appearance of horns, while upon the rams the horns should be well de- 

 veloped, clear in color, and symmetrically curved. 



"Neck very heavy, especially with the rams, deepening towards the shoulder. 

 Legs medium in length, set well apart, with well-shaped, medium-sized feet. The body 

 and legs to the knees covered with medium or fine wool, extending well forward be- 

 tween the eyes. Fleece should be compact, but should open freely showing a length 

 (at twelve months growth) of not less than three inches, and the oil (yolk) must be white, 

 flowing freely from skin to surface, and form on the exterior a uniform dark coating." 



The following standard Scale of Points should be used in connec- 

 tion with the above : 



"Constitution 15 Forward 64 



Size 12 Covering 8 



General appearance 3 Quality of fleece 7 



Body 15 Density of fleece 7 



Head 5 Length of staple 8 



Neck ..'.'. . 4 Oil 6 



Legs and feet . 10 



Perfection 100" 



Forward 64 



The Delaines. 



The origin of this family is of recent date, and has grown out of a 

 continued and steady demand for what is known as Delaine wools. Just 

 what constitutes Delaine wool is rather hard to define, but the process of 

 manufacture requires combing instead of carding the fibers being laid 



