DESCRIPTION OF THE AMERICAN MERINO. 97 



can breeders, until it has now no superior in the world as a wool 

 bearer, or as an improver of inferior races of sheep. 



Weight of Sheep. Weight of Fleece. Age of Fleece. 



l?t Premium Ram. . . 180 l /2 Ibs. 29 Ibs. 11 mo. 21 days. 



2nd " " 148 Ibs. 23 Ibs. 13 oz. 1 yr. 4 " 



1st " Ewe 108 Ibs. 17 Ibs. 8 oz. 11 mo. 22 " 



2-yr. old Ewe not entered for pr. 22 Ibs. & oz. 1 yr. 5 " 



It is impossible, in the limited space that can be here devoted to 

 this br^ed, to rehearse the means by which these sheep have been 

 gradually brought to this excellence. For these details the reader 

 who would study the subject of fine-wool sheep breeding, is referred 

 to the excellent work of Mr. Randall before referred to, in which 

 it is treated of at length. The portrait on the next page gives 

 a remarkably accurate general view of a first class American 

 Merino ram. It represents the ram " Golden Fleece," bred and 

 owned by E. S. Stowell, Cornwall, Vermont 



The description of a high brel American Merino, of such excel- 

 lence as may be readily found in numerous flocks at the present 

 time, may be summed up as follows, giving prominence to the 

 several most important characteristics, viz : 



The Carcnss should be plump, medium size, round, deep, not 

 long in proportion to roundness, the head and neck short and 

 thick ; the back should be straight and broad, the breast and but- 

 tock fall ; the legs short, well apart, and strong, with heavy fore- 

 arm and full twist. This compact figure indicates a hardy con- 

 stitution, ease of keeping, and good feeding properties. 



8km. The skin should be of a deep rich rose-color, thin, mel- 

 low, loose, and elastic on the body. ' This indicates a healthy, well 

 conditioned animal. A pale or tawny skin indicates impurity of 

 blood, or at least weakness of constitution, and is therefore ob- 

 jectionable. 



Folds and Wrinkles. These are permissible to a certain extent. 

 The fashion in this regard has doubtless passed beyond the bounds 

 of wicvlom, and excessive wrinkling or folding of the skin is un- 

 sightly and useless, if not worse. In shearing, it causes a waste of 

 time, and gives no adequate return in wool. A deep, soft, plaited 

 dewlap on both ewes and rams, and some slight wrinkles on the 

 neck of the ram, satisfied the early breeders in this respect. "While 

 heavy neck folds on the ram, and short ones back of the elbow 

 and on the rump, are tolerated by breeders at the present time, yet 

 it is simply fashion, and adds nothing to the value of the animal, 

 but on the contrary is dearly paid for in the increased cost of 

 ehearing. An exception to this may be taken in respect of rama 

 5 



