BULLETIN OF THE 



wsmmmsssm 



No. 94= 



Contribution from the Bureau of Animal Industry, A. D. Melvin, Chief, 

 August 17, 1914. 



DOMESTIC BREEDS OF SHEEP IN AMERICA. 



By E. L. Shaw and L. L. Heller, 

 Animal Husbandry Division. 



INTRODUCTION. 



All the domestic sheep in America have originated from importa- 

 tions, most of which have been made from European countries since 

 the beginning of the nineteenth century. These breeds have not 

 yet been able to find themselves fully, and there are not the clearly 

 denned areas devoted to certain classes such as are common in 

 England; still there is a gradual tendency toward segregation. 



The fine wools are grazing upon the western ranges and to a lesser 

 extent through the Ohio fine-wool region. They are undergoing 

 some changes to improve the carcass and increase the length of wool; 

 some foreign blood is being used to do it; nevertheless these sections 

 may still be regarded as being fine wool in character. 



In Tennessee, Virginia, and Kentucky, the spring-lamb region of 

 America, the Southdown lambs are very popular. To a lesser extent 

 some of the other mutton breeds are gradually gaining precedence. 



Through the central farming section of the country the medium- 

 wool breeds have taken possession, the long wools largely yielding 

 for a location more favorable to them in the North and Northwest, 

 notably Canada, Utah, Idaho, Montana, and Oregon. 



It is not always possible to say that there is one best breed for 

 any section. There may be two or three that would do equally as 

 well, but it is undeniable that some breeds are far more suitable 

 than others for a given location. All the breeds have their good 

 qualities and most of them, if properly handled, will give good results 

 in some section of America. The problem is to get the ones best 

 adapted to particular conditions. Some breeds have a larger number 

 of high-class individuals than others, but a truly successful breeder 

 can improve any of them. 



Note. — This bulletin gives detailed information as to the origin, adaptability, distribution, distinguish- 

 ing characteristics, etc., of the various domestic breeds of sheep. It is of especial interest to sheep breeders 

 and to the sheep grower who is desirous of securing the best breed adapted to his particular locality. 



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