12 BULLETIN 94, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



production of "winter" lambs, and they are used to a certain extent 

 for this purpose. Ohio, Michigan, New York, and Indiana are espe- 

 cially prominent Rambouillet States in the Middle West, but even here 

 a large part of their popularity can be indirectly traced to the range 

 demand. The highest prices recorded recently for American-bred 

 sheep have been paid for individuals of this breed, and the superior 

 quality of our home-bred Rambouillets has discouraged importa- 

 tions during recent }^ears. Recently a number of choice shipments 

 have been made to South Africa. 



The Rambouillet is the largest of the Merino breeds. Mature rams 

 m breeding condition should weigh from 175 to 225 pounds and 

 should produce from 15 to 20 pounds of wool. Ewes under the same 

 condition range from 130 to 160 pounds in weight and should shear 

 10 to 12 pounds. The staple should be from 2\ to 3 inches long, but 

 much of it falls short of this length. It commonly grades as fine 

 clothing and combing. The rams usually have large spiral horns, but 

 ewes should always be polled. An entirely polled type has been de- 

 veloped and has been given a trial by some prominent western breed- 

 ers, but has not proved satisfactory. There has been an effort on 

 the part of some breeders to establish a B and C type of Rambou- 

 illets, and classes were established for these at one of our State fairs. 

 This movement should be discouraged, or it will eventually lead to 

 as much confusion as there is at the present time in the different 

 types of American Merinos. The plainer, or C, type of Rambouillet 

 is called for in the West, while eastern breeders prefer the heavier, 

 or B type, sheep. The cross between the Rambouillet and the Amer- 

 ican Merino has been termed the Franco-American, and a registry 

 association has been organized to record them. They are criticised 

 because of the fact that they do not breed true to type. 



The American Rambouillet Sheep Breeders' Association was organ- 

 ized in 1889 at Pontiac, Mich. Up to January 1 , 1914, it had recorded 

 73,305 head. The present headquarters are at Milford Center, Ohio. 

 The International Von Homey er Rambouillet Club Record was or- 

 ganized December 18, 1902, at Detroit, Mich., and has recorded about 

 500 head of sheep. Only those sheep that can trace their ancestry 

 through unbroken lines to the Von Homeyer stock are eligible for 

 entry in the latter association. 



Following is the scale of points for the Von Homeyer Rambouillet. 1 

 The American association has no standard of excellence. 



Density and length of wool are incompatible. Extreme density of fleece spoils 

 physical development and mutton and wool merits. Stud sheep should be kept in 

 moderate condition by food and exercise to insure constitution and prepotency. 

 Fat covers a multitude of faults. The task is to breed for quality and quantity of 

 wool and mutton equally at the smallest expense. 



> Ranziu, 8, 2, 1894. v. Homeyer. 



