36 THE DOMESTIC SHEEP. 



cultivated must in time eventuate in permanently estab- 

 lished breeds, gradually forming distinct characters, and as 

 valuable as the good sense and business skill of those in- 

 terested may make possible. 



THE IMPROVED DELAINE MERINO. 



The Improved Delaine Merino is another branch of the 

 Delaine family. In 1890, a registry association was formed 

 in Central Ohio, including the flocks of Messrs. Henry, Long, 

 Hagenbuck, Bailey, Silvens, Turnbull, Horn, Crittenden, 

 Newcomer, Swain, Braden and others, the object of the or- 

 ganization being the preservation of purity in the De- 

 laine Merino and the encouragement of further development 

 in the production of a mutton sheep of large size, strong 

 constitution and compact symmetrical form, with a heavy 

 fleece of fine Delaine wool. No sheep with other than pure 

 Delaine blood are permitted to enter the register. 



The weight of a mature ewe of this breed should run 

 from 100 to 120 pounds and her fleece from 9 to 14 pounds of 

 long, white, well crimped and fine delaine staple, showing 

 a free flow *of white oil. The mature ram in full fleece 

 should weigh from 160 to 210 pounds, averaging about 175 

 or 180 pounds. 



The association has grown rapidly and now embraces a 

 good number of well known flocks scattered throughout the 

 states and territories, the principal flock centers being Belle- 

 fontaine, Urbana and Cedarville, Ohio. 



THE BLACK TOP SPANISH MERINO, 



As a distinct breed, dates back to the formation of the flock of 

 the late Wm. Berry of Washington County, Pa., in 1821. Mr. 

 Berry obtained his foundation stock from the famous flock of 

 the late W. R. Dickinson, of Steubenville, Ohio, and bred his 

 flock up with great care until late in the 40's, when it was 

 .divided between his sons William and Matthew Berry, from 

 whose flocks came the foundations for the later flocks of 

 William, John M. and C. M. Berry. From these have sprung 

 a multitude of other flocks now widely scattered over the 

 United States. The organization of the flock registry asso- 

 ciation for recording these sheep and maintaining purity of 

 blood and a high standard of form, fleece and general char- 



