484 



SHEEP 



types of fleece, assuming there was a distinct A, B, and C staple 

 on each type. Further, it has been assumed that A type Merinos 

 sometimes carry B type fleeces, or that one will find on a B type 

 ram a C type fleece. Consequently, in an effort to draw sharp 

 lines between the types, some breeders emphasize the necessity 

 of uniformity of type of body, folds, and fleece in each class. 



The more general 

 characteristics of the 

 Merino may be set 

 forth in the following 

 discussion of the vari- 

 ous parts of the ani- 

 mal. The head of the 

 Merino should be short, 

 broad at the muzzle, 

 with large nostrils. A 

 nose short and inclined 

 to be wrinkled and 

 somewhat thick, and of 

 Roman type with rams, 

 is preferred. There 

 should also be ample 

 width between large, 

 clear, mild eyes, with 

 a prominent forehead. 

 The ears should be 

 fine and short, be ac- 

 tively carried, and have 

 a covering of silky hair. 

 The horns, which occur on the males, as a rule interfere with the 

 natural action and movement of ear. The horns on mature rams 

 are large, are rather angular at the base, and have a spiral turn 

 backward, then downward, around forward, and up, forming a more 

 or less corkscrew curve. The horn when fully developed usually 

 shows one and one-half turn ; with some the tip of horn turns up- 

 ward, with others it turns down. The head of the male, as a whole, 

 should show sex character in a strong degree. The neck of the 

 Merino should be of moderate length, neither thin nor thick, and 



FIG. 216. The B type Merino. Note the prevalence 

 of folds at each end, but with comparative free- 

 dom from those on the body. This ewe, owned by 

 G. E. Helser, West La Fayette, Ohio, weighed 140 

 pounds and sheared a fleece weighing 25 pounds. 

 From photograph, by courtesy of Mr. Helser 



