A prize winning Merino ewe (Class A) bred by D. K. Bell. 

 Rochester, N. Y. 



DESCRIPTION OF THE DELAINE MERINO SHEEP. 



THIS FAMILY of American Merinos has been established by increasing the 

 size smoothening the form, lengthening the fiber and adding somewhat 

 to the mutton properties of the ancestral stock. In some families the polled 

 feature is an additional characteristic. In those that are horned these should 

 in turning keep clear of the face. The form in general has been enlarged and 

 smoothened by the development of a tendency to take on flesh. The fleece 

 being comparatively free of wrinkles has also contributed to the 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 constitution 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 through- 

 out. 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 Sheep Registry : 

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

 ancestry tracing to importations made from Spain prior to 1812 without a 

 mixture. 20. Constitution, 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 fiter 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, nor 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, including dewlap and apron, 5. Legs and feet, 4. General appearance, 

 good carriage ; bold, vigorous style, symmetrical form and proper complexion 

 of covering, 4. 



