A Merino ewe, winner of first in Merino (A) as yearling ewe, and sweep- 

 stakes as best Merino ewe of any age, at the World's Fair, 1893; bred by E. D. 

 King, Burlington, Kansas. 



DESCRIPTION OF THE DELAINE MERINO SHEEP 



*I*HIS FAMILY of American Merinos has been established by increasing the size 

 smoothening the form, lengthening the fiber and adding somewhat to the mut- 

 ton properties of the ancestral stock. In some families the polled feature is an addi- 

 tional characteristic. In those that are horned these should in turning keep clear 

 of the face. The form in general has been enlarged and smootheued by the develop- 

 ment of a tendency to take on flesh. The fleece being comparatively free of wrinkles 

 has also contributed tothe smoothness of form which is. characteristic of the Delaine. 

 As in the other type quality of bone, skin and hair and the addition of quality of 

 fleece with fineness in every particular should be mainly characteristic. See official 

 scale of points, page 140. 



DESCRIPTION OF THE AMERICAN MERINO SHEEP 



THIS BREED with its fascinating history starting in Syria, passing into Greece, 

 from there to Italy, then to Spain on to France and from thence to England 

 and later to Australia and America has an historical record for inherent constitu- 

 tion which has made them strong in type and very decided in their characteristics. 

 Size and mutton form are not characteristic of the breed but quality in every 

 requirement is a striking attribute. The face is white and the head closely capped 

 with wool extending down on the bridge of the nose and completely surrounding the 

 eyes. The ear is small, pointed and covered with wool and a soft growth of hair. 

 In the ram the horn should spring strong and completely clear of the face, the neck 

 is light and so is the shoulder and a marked feature is the depth of the chest, the 

 floor coming down well between the fore legs which are short and strong. The body 

 is short the rib deep, the loin and hind quarter strong. The fleece under careful 

 examination should be very dense with flat surface as shown by a very even pile. 

 The fiber should be long, fine, sound and when the fleece is opened it should part 

 readily from end to end showing an even and free distribution of yolk. To the finger 

 and thumb softness of the wool should be apparent, while to the eye it should show 

 a lustre and brightness throughout. Where the wrinkles occur they should not 

 have any coarse fibers on the tops of the folds and the yolk should not be clotted in 

 the creases or any portion of the fleece. 



The following scale of points is taken from the Merino Shoep Registry: 

 " Merino Sheep Register First. Blood, a perfectly authenticated line of ances- 

 try tracing to importations made from Spain prior to 1812 without a mixture. 20. Con- 

 stitution, 18. Fleece, quality, quantity and condition as shown by weight of fleece, 

 length and strength of staple, crimp, fineness and brightness of fiber, evenness 

 throughout, freedom from dead fiber and amount of yolk, 13 Form, 9. Size, rams at 

 full growth in breeding condition should weigh 130 pounds or upwards; ewes 100 

 pounds. 9. Head medium size, muzzle clear, nose covered with glossy, furry hair; 

 eyes bright and placid; forehead broad; ears soft, thick and set well apart; ewes 

 hornless; horns on ram well turned (set not too close to the head and neck, aor yet 

 standing out too widely from them) and free from black or dark colored streaks, 6. 

 Neck short on top, long below; strongly set to head and shoulders becoming deeper 

 towards shoulder folds, heavier underneath and extending up sides of neck, includ- 

 ing dewlap and apron, 5. Legs and feet, 4. General apnearance, good carriage ; bold, 

 vigorous style, symmetrical form and proper complexion of covering, 4. 



