CHAPTER XLVI 



THE AMERICAN MERINO 1 



The Spanish Merino as the parent of the American Merino 

 should receive a brief consideration introductory to this breed. 



The native home of the Merino is in Spain, in southern Europe. 

 The country is quite variable in character, the interior consist- 

 ing of plains as well as long ranges of mountains, some of which 

 are many thousand feet high. There are numerous rivers and 

 deep valleys. The climate is generally dry and mild in the low- 

 lands, and oranges, citrons, olives, and grapes are commonly 

 produced ; while oh the plains and mountain sides are extensive 

 pastures, where in times past large flocks have grazed. On the 

 lower, richer lands the sheep are larger than on the dryer, poorer 

 soils or more elevated mountains. 



Sheep husbandry in Spain was for centuries an important 

 industry. Historians at the beginning of the Christian era 

 directed attention to the superior fleece of the sheep of Spain, 

 especially Columella, a famous Latin writer on agriculture, 

 who wrote during the first century. As early as the eighth 

 century, when the Saracens took possession of Spain, they 

 established many mechanical arts, among which was the woolen 

 industry, and the Spanish sheep furnished the fiber. The 

 statement has been made that in Seville no less than sixteen 

 thousand looms existed in the thirteenth century. Some of the 

 Spanish cloths were highly esteemed for their quality. By the 

 fifteenth century, however, the Moors had been largely driven 

 from Spain and the woolen industry fell into decay and finally 

 became unimportant. Later an attempt was made to revive the 

 manufacture of fine fabrics from wool, but without success. 



1 The word " Merino " is Spanish, signifying governor of a small province, and 

 likewise one who has care of the pastures or cattle in general. He receives his 

 appointment from the king, is a person of rank, and is termed Merino Mayor. 



339 



