340 



SHEEP 



Two great groups of Spanish sheep existed in times past. One, 

 known as Estantes or stationary, consisted of flocks of the coarser 

 wooled types, and these remained permanently on many of the 

 hill farms. The other group, termed Trans humantes or migratory, 

 consisted of flocks that were driven during the spring season, 

 under the care of competent shepherds, across country and into 

 the mountains over a grazing region, to be returned in the fall to 

 the original home. The Transhumantes were divided into two 



FIG. 151. An American Merino ram, shown at the Pan-American Exposi- 

 tion in 1901 by H. D. Jackson of Bridport, Vermont. This ram was 

 first-prize yearling and the champion ram of the Class A type. Photo- 

 graph from the National Stockman and Farmer 



classes, the Leonese and Sorian. The former was the more numer- 

 ous and was the highest esteemed. Most of the sheep brought 

 to America from Spain belonged to the Transhumantes group. 



The annual Merino drives in Spain were most important affairs. 

 Youatt writes as follows : 



The Leonese after having been cantoned during the winter on the north 

 bank of the Guadiana, in Estremadura, begin their march about the fif- 

 teenth of April in divisions of two or three thousand. They pass the Tagus 



