1032 CYCLOPEDIA OF LIVE STOCK AND COMPLETE STOCK DOCTOR. 



American breeders to make a change in their own fine-wooled sheep. 

 A cross of the French Merino on American Merinos, and a second cross, 

 making the strain three-quarters American and one-quarter French, re- 

 sulted in increased size, but the animals were tender and bad feeders. 

 This might have been expected, since the French Merinos are at best a 

 mongrel race. It is doubtful if now a flock of French Merinos can be 

 found in the United States. 



XVII. American Merinos. 



So widely disseminated are this most valuable breed in every portion of 

 the United States, and so well known are they, that it is not necessary to 

 go into a description of their origin further than what has been given. 



Suffice it to say they are now divided into three families, known as the 

 Atwood, the Rich, and the Hammond Merinos, from the names of the 

 three original breedei*s of these strains. They have been improved by 

 long continued and careful selections. 



XVIII. The Atwood and Hammond Merinos. 



The Atwood Merinos were originated in 1813 by Mr. Atwood, from 

 what were known as the Humphrey stock. About 1844 Mr. Hammond, 

 from selections from the Atwood flock, produced the larger breed of 

 American Merinos, perfect in the length and thickness of fleece and 

 thickness of staple, and characterized by great looseness of the skin, which 

 lies in soft, low, rounded ridges over the body, but offering no obstruction 

 to the shears. These were originally of Infantado and Paular blood, the 

 Paiilars, it 'is said, prevailing. 



