38 SHEEP FARMING IN AMERICA 



breeding establishments. Here thousands of pure- 

 bred rams are grown. Fashions change even on the 

 ranges and at present there is inquiry for Delaines, 

 and many rams of mixed Delaine and Eambouillet 

 blood are used, besides some with an infusion of the 

 blood of the American Merino. Eambouillets are 

 truly wonderful sheep, of great size and unlimited 

 capacity to consume food. With a top of mutton 

 rams they produce great lambs or make superb 

 wethers. 



Eambouillets have been grown profitably for 50 

 years in Ohio. There are indeed some farms that 

 have been stocked with these sheep continuously for 

 that length of time, which is unusual in America. 

 In recent years the breed has been considerably im- 

 proved by fresh importations and by careful mat- 

 ings, so that both form and fleece are better than 

 formerly. The eastern Eambouillet growers have 

 for some years enjoyed a very profitable trade in 

 rams which they have sent to the western ranges. 

 However, the large western breeders are absorbing 

 much of that trade of late, so that only the choicest 

 rams are in demand for western shipments. A good 

 flock of Eambouillets will pay for their wool and 

 mutton, and Eambouillet ewes make a most admir- 

 able basis for a cross-bred flock. 



Eambouillet and Delaine Merino ewes have the 

 ability to conceive early and drop their lambs in the 

 fall or winter. Many Eambouillet breeders make a 

 practice of lambing as many of their ewes as possi- 

 ble in the fall and early winter months, thus getting 



