EA.ST OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER. 



601 



the plainer, larger sheep of eastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania 

 the Delaine type. Crosses of the long and middle wool rains or Merino 

 ewes are growing in favor, for which the many fine English breeds of 

 sheep now established in the State give great advantages. Before 

 considering these breeds and their crosses we will note some addi- 

 tional data of the Merino. 



At the shearing of the Northern Illinois Merino Sheep-Breeders' 

 Association in 1881 15 rams and 8 ewes were shorn of 470 pounds of 

 wool, an average of 20^f pounds each. One rani gave 30 J pounds; one 

 29; one, 27 J; two, 25 J; one, 24; and three, 23 J. A seven-year-old ewe 

 gave 19 pounds ; one gave 18 J, and two 15 J each. 



At a shearing of the same association in 1884 13 rams and 14 ewes 

 gave 445 J pounds of wool, an average of 16f pounds each. The heav- 

 iest rani fleece weighed 30 pounds. Two weighed 27 J pounds each, two 

 22f pounds each, and two 22 pounds each. The heaviest ewe fleece 

 weighed 17J pounds, the next 16 pounds, and two weighed 15J pounds. 



At the shearing of the same association in 1885 12 rams and 10 ewes 

 gave 367 pounds of wool, an average of 16| pounds each. The heavi- 

 est ram fleece was 30 J pounds ; two ewes gave 19 pounds each. The 

 live weight and yield of wool for the five heaviest in each sex is here 

 given : 



In 1887 E. E. Gilbert, of Waucouda, sheared from 6 two-year-old 

 rams 149J pounds of wool, an average of 24| pounds each. The weight 

 of each fleece and the days 7 growth follow : 



