EAST OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER. 621 



There was but little difference in the second annual shearing in 1884 

 from that of 1883, except the advance of the ram Diamond from 41 

 pounds 3 ounces to 44 pounds 4 ounces. Diamond was the property of 

 A. T. Short, and was bred by A. A. Wood, of Saline, in 1881. His first 



M-re was 24 pounds 4 ounces. He was of Atwood and Robinson blood. 

 At the same shearing, 1884, Greasy Bill, an Atwood and Robinson ram, 

 gave 36 pounds 7 ounces, and five others exceeded 30 pounds, giving 

 oJJ. 33, 32, 31, and 31 pounds. 



In 1885, at the shearing of the Saline Merino Breeders' Association, 

 the heaviest ram fleece was 26-^- pounds, and the heaviest ewe fleece 

 2H- pounds. In Eaton County the heaviest rain fleece weighed 31 J 

 pounds, and the heaviest ewe fleece 15 pounds. In Clinton County the 

 rani Greeley sheared 34 pounds and Bismarck 31J pounds. 



The results of the fourth annual shearing of the State association is 

 given in details, embracing weight of carcass, folds, quantity and color 

 of oil in the fleece, density, covering, weight of fleece as clipped and as 

 scoured, and the blood lines of the sheep. 



