MODERN SHEEP: BREEDS AND MANAGEMENT. 153 



breed, is a very enthusiastic breeder and is doing much towards 

 promoting the breed in this country. 



During the last decade several large flocks of Rambouillets 

 have been established in the far west, notably in .some of the 

 range states, for in these states the Rambouillet has found 

 especial favor with the average grower, for with his Merino 

 characteristics and his sizeable body he produces a sheep that 

 has both wool and mutton. 



The Baldwin Sheep & Land Company have made an un- 

 qualified success of the breed, have made several large and very 

 valuable importations from the leading French and German 

 flocks, (including the famous government farm flock at Ram- 

 bouillet, France,) and otherwise done their share towards pro- 

 moting the western interests of the breed. Among their most 

 notable importations must be mentioned that of the present year. 

 Other breeders who are doing good work for the breed are 

 Messrs. Butterfield, Jackson, Seely, Herrin, Hansen and the Inter- 

 Mountain Sheep Company. 



In this country there are no records of either weight or 

 carcass or fleece. The most authoritative records are those of 

 the French government flock, and these are comparatively old, 

 the last available figures being those of 1880. Suffice it to say 

 that good rams weigh from 200 to 250 pounds and shear from 

 sixteen to twenty pounds, with extraordinary individuals exceed- 

 ing these figures quite a little; while ewes weigh 130 to 170 

 pounds and shear ten to thirteen pounds, figures that are nearly 

 double those of the original flock at Rambouillet. In this coun- 

 try these figures are fairly applicable, probably the most improve- 

 ment being in the fleece, although advance is being made in the 

 symmetry and form, the ideal being a better backed and quar- 

 tered animal than has been produced. 



The Rambouillet is a pure bred Merino, merely a family of 

 the great tribe of Merinos, and the general aim of his Ameri- 

 can breeders is to improve him so that he will produce the 

 maximum amount of fine wool and good mutton in one animal, 

 and how well they are succeeding at the present time is evi- 

 denced by his general popularity among the average growers, 

 both eastern farmers and western rangemen. 



THE DELAINE-MERINO. 



The following, written especially for this work, on this splen- 

 did American production, is from the pen of the well known 

 Ohio breeder, Mr. George A. Henry: 



The Delaine-Merino is a sub-breed, or rather a different 

 type of the Spanish or American Merino, bred purely from 

 Spanish Merino blood. 



