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SHEEP 



the great American Merino show, have been given these three 

 classes, and at the more important shows of the breed a classi- 

 fication of this sort is provided. These classes may be briefly 

 described as follows : 



The A type Merino represents the distinctly Spanish or Amer- 

 ican sort, with heavy folds at the neck and over the body and 

 hind quarters. One is impressed with the surplus of skin over 



FIG. 215. A fine example of an A type Merino. Note the extreme number of 



folds which cover the entire body. From photograph, by courtesy of the National 



Stockman and Farmer 



the entire body, but more especially at the neck, breast, flanks, 

 rump, and thighs. The wool is short, approximately an inch and 

 a half long, is very fine, and weighs heavy in its unwashed con- 

 dition, due to a large per cent of yolk. This is the lightest- 

 weighing Merino, one hundred pounds being a fairly good weight 

 for the females. This type is discussed in detail in Chapter XLIV, 

 on the American Merino. 



The B type Merino is characterized by a smoother body, with 

 fewer folds, especially over the back and ribs, although those on 



