DOMESTIC BREEDS OF SHEEP. 9 



erly shows in the A class may belong to class B when it is a yearling 

 or an aged sheep. The following paragraphs give the general idea 

 of the different classes. 



The A-type Merino is characterized by heavy folds or wrinkles upon 

 the neck, breast, middle, and quarters and a complete covering of 

 wool over the body and legs. The Vermont Merinos would usually 

 fall into this class. Mature rams in breeding condition should weigh 

 about 140 pounds and ewes about 100 pounds. Rams should shear 

 close to 30 pounds of wool for one year's growth and ewes about 20 

 pounds. The fleece should be very dense, and the length of the fiber 

 should be about 2\ inches for one year's growth. The fiber should 

 also be very fine, "crimpy," soft, and pliable. The yolk should be 

 of a creamy color. It constitutes about 70 per cent of the fleece. 

 Wool from this type grades as fine clothing or combing. 



B-type Merinos should have folds upon the neck, breast, flank, and 

 about the tail head. The covering of wool over the body and legs is 

 not quite equal to that of the A type. Mature rams in breeding con- 

 dition should weigh from 150 to 175 pounds and ewes from 100 to 

 115 pounds. Good rams shear in the neighborhood of 25 pounds and 

 ewes about 15 pounds. The fleece is generally less dense than that of 

 the A type. The fiber should be crimpy, soft, and pliable. It should 

 measure from 2\ to 3 inches in length. The yolk is preferably of a 

 creamy color and comprises about 65 per cent of the weight of the 

 fleece. The wool grades as fine clothing or delaine. 



C-type Merinos should be perfectly plain or free from folds, unless 

 to a very slight extent in the neck or breast. The Delaine represents 

 this type. The head, legs, and body are not so well covered. Earns 

 in good breeding condition should weigh about 175 pounds and ewes 

 125. A ram's fleece (12 months' growth) should weigh approxi- 

 mately 18 pounds and that of the ewes 11 pounds. The fleece is 

 much less dense, containing about 20,000 fibers per square inch. 

 The fiber is less crimpy and longer, measuring from 3 to 4 inches. 

 The yolk is white in color and should comprise about 55 per cent of 

 the fleece. The wool from this type grades as fine delaine or staple. 



In most flocks of any material size all three classes or types are 

 present, and these are crossed at the discretion of the breeder. For 

 instance, if the ewes approach too closely to the angular A type, and 

 their mutton qualities become markedly inferior, a ram is crossed 

 upon them, of perhaps the C type, to remedy this and bring about a 

 balance. If the opposite condition prevails, which is more often the 

 case, an A-type ram might be used to improve the fleece. Some 

 authorities hold that this is the sole purpose of the A type and that it 

 is necessary to maintain a heavy fleece. 



Despite the fact that the Merino has long since passed the height 

 of its popularity, the Merino blood is more prevalent in America to-day 

 36158°— 14 2 



