626 SHEEP INDUSTRY OF THE UNITED STATES 



scoured wool of the Michigan fleece was 7.5, or a larger per cent of 

 scoured wool than was shorn of unwashed wool from the Livingston 

 fleeces. 



At the annual meeting of the Michigan Merino Sheep Breeders' Asso- 

 ciation in 1884, a new member from the north woods inquired the stand- 

 ard weight of a Merino sheep. His question was greeted with a general 

 laugh, but no one attempted to answer it. At the next annual meeting 

 the subject was discussed, but no two breeders had precisely the same 

 opinion either as to weight, form, fleece, and general characteristics. 

 One desired a very large, heavy boned, well covered, heavy shearing, 

 plainly formed sheep. Another, a short-legged, heavy folded, short 

 necked, thick fleeced, heavy shearing sheep. Still another preferred a 

 sheep differing from either of those described. One breeder wanted in 

 his flock a long fine fleece of white wool, and wethers that would bring 

 the highest market price for mutton. Another cared more for weight 

 of fleece and less for color, mutton, and other points. After some dis- 

 cussion two experienced breeders were designated who should sever- 

 ally present the ideal Michigan Merino ram and ewe at a future meeting. 

 At the meeting in 1886 Mr. William Ball, who had been assigned to 

 present the ideal Merino stock ram, said that in weight he should be 

 from 140 to 160 pounds, in medium fleece, and that from considerable 

 experience and long observation in carefully considering the produce of 

 many flocks for a series of years in Vermont and elsewhere, he had 

 found the best results to follow where rams of the above weight were 

 used, other qualities being also good. In his judgment too many breed- 

 ers were striving to secure large rams because the western demand 

 seemed to be for such sheep. This was well enough for the West, where 

 the sheep were bought and sold, but of doubtful expediency in the 

 more eastern longitudes where thoroughbred Merinos were bred. The 

 reason was found in the well-known law of sheep-breeding, that 



Early maturity, easily fattening qualities, are produced "by proper selections, care- 

 ful handling, and generous feeding. It is also true that with this early growth and 

 maturity, and easily fattening tendency,*comes the con verse, a tendency to premature 

 decay ; well enough in the mutton breeds of sheep, but extremely dangerous in breed- 

 ing the long-lived Merino, which should shear a good heavy fleece of good wool and 

 breed a lamb for a good many years in succession. One of the strongest traits of the 

 Merino breed as it should be is its longevity, with the capability of procreation and 

 wool-bearing, and if we would successfully perpetuate this noble animal we must 

 not lose sight of the intention of its originators. 



Changes to be lasting should necessarily be made slowly and with an 

 idea of strengthening and perpetuating the good qualities of the 

 Merino, rather than to satisfy or cater to the varying demands of 

 fickle fashion and western trade. This is the description of Mr. Ball's 

 ideal ram : 



The form of the ram should be such as would denote a good constitution and plenty \ 

 of vigor. He should stand iirmly and squarely on a good strong boned, well covered, 

 shortish set of legs, well set apart both forward and behind. The body should be 



