SHEEP FOR WOOL, MUTTON AND BOTH USES 37 



Highland and the Welsh Mountain are in this country, 

 and the numbers of both are yet inconsiderable. 



A classification strictly accurate will put all the 

 breeds of sheep in America in the dual class. Some of 

 these, as the Merino types, may be properly classed as 

 wool and mutton producing. All the other breeds may 

 be properly classed as mutton and wool producing. The 

 modifications resulting from the improvement of the mut- 

 ton form on the one hand and .wool production on the 

 other have in many instances been quite pronounced 

 during recent years. 



Influences that affect wool production The chief of 

 the influences that affect wool production are climate, 

 food and care, breeding and age. The influences thus ex- 

 erted are not equally potent, and these do not always 

 influence wool in the same way. These influences will 

 now be considered briefly. 



It would seem correct to say that with decrease in 

 the mean temperature of climates wool increases in fine- 

 ness, and vice versa. This view is supported by the fact 

 that the wool fibers borne by sheep on the plains of hot 

 climates are usually coarser and fewer in number than 

 the same in cold climates. On the other hand, the moun- 

 tain breeds are usually clad in wool that is more or less 

 dense and fine. Too much must not be made, however, of 

 these general contrasts. They may be so influenced by 

 food and breeding that contrasts even the opposite may 

 be drawn from breeds kept under such conditions. The 

 fineness of the wool of the Spanish Merino for instance, 

 has been maintained in the somewhat austere climate of 

 New England as fully as in the balmy climate of South- 

 ern Spain. The same is true of this breed of sheep in the 

 mild latitudes of Australia or in the stern climate of 

 Sweden. It is evident, therefore, that other influences, as 

 selection, food and breeding, may be made to more than 

 counterbalance this general tendency of climate. The 

 degree of the moisture in climates also influences wool, 



