498 



SHEEP 



the same place and time did much for Merino improvement in 

 the then new West. These men were among the really great 

 pioneer breeders of America ; they did much to improve the 

 Merino, notably in character and quantity of fleece, and from their 

 flocks descends the best blood of to-day. 



Characteristics of the American Merino. This Merino is simply 

 an improved form of the Spanish, characterized by heavy folds 

 on the body, excepting over the back. The head is small, being 



FIG. 222. A quartet of yearling American Merino rams bred by J. D. Irwin of 

 Ohio. From photograph, by courtesy of Mr. Irwin 



comparatively broad and short, the rams carrying heavy, spirally 

 twisted horns, and the ewes being hornless. The lips and nostrils 

 are white, and fine, silky white hairs surround the muzzle and ex- 

 tend part way up the nose. The ears are small and are covered 

 with fine white hairs. Reddish or tan-colored hair is occasionally 

 seen on the ears and nose of the Merino, which suggests a rever- 

 sion to the same color of earlier days. Some Merino breeders 

 have valued this color variation, while others have endeavored to 

 breed it out. The neck is thin and tends to be long below and 

 short above, the shoulders are very sloping, the chest narrow but 



