ORIGIX, ANATOMY AND POINTS OF SHEEP. 1009 



'•egions of the South are eminently suited for sheep husbandry, espe- 

 cially for the mutton and long-wooled breeds. There are found the es- 

 sentials of a genial climate, plenty of range, pure water, sweet grasses, 

 and a soil natural to sheep. There is only a single drawback — the num- 

 ber of dogs that are allowed to wander at will to decimate flocks. If 

 the dogs were abated, the hill regions of the South would soon prove as 

 valuable for sheep as for fruit and for general agriculture. 



XI. Points of Excellence of the Principal Breeds. 



The standards of excellence, now generally adopted at the St. Louis 

 fair, at the Illinois State fair, and at many other prominent Western fairs, 

 and also at the great exhibition of live stock at the Chicago fair for 1881, 

 may be taken as being as near perfect as possible, and will rule in all 

 points except, perhaps, in the weight of the carcass. In the East, and 

 in some portions of the hill region South, the weight of carcass may be 

 reduced some twenty pounds. Thus the standard of 165 pounds gross 

 weight for a Merino ram, and 120 pounds for gross weight of Merino 

 ewe, was reduced to 140 and 100 jicands respectively at the Centennial 

 Exhibition, while in other respects the standards were identical. At St. 

 Louis, the heavy standard known as the Illinois standard is, without modi- 

 fication , used for judging sheep , This standard , in fact, was really arranged 

 by i)roniinent breeders of Illinois, and of the country contiguous to St. 

 Louis, we believe. The standards for the several grades will be found 

 adapted to any breed ; that for Cotswolds, applying to any long-wooled 

 breed with very simple modifications. The standards are as follows : 



XH. Standard for American Merinos. 



Points. 



Blood. — Thoroughbred, i. e, purely bred from one or more of the 

 direct importations of Merino sheep from Spain prior to the 

 year 1812, without the admixture of any other blood. - - 1 



Constitution. — Indicated by form of body ; deep and large breast 

 cavity ; broad back, heavy quarters, with muscular development 

 forming capacious abdomen ; skin thick, but soft, of fine tex- 

 ture, and pink color; expansive nostril, brilliant eyes, healthful 

 countenance, and good size, age considered. - - - - 15 



8iZE. — In fair condition, with fleece of twelve months' growth, full- 

 grown rams should weigh not less than 165 pounds, and ewes 

 not less than 120 pounds. ------. 7 



General Appearance. — Good carriage, bold style, elastic move- 

 ment, showing in particular parts, as well as general outline and 

 symmetry of form. - * - - , . . | 



