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



are kept entirely in the mountains during the summer and until snow 

 flies; then they are driven to the lowlands, where they are wintered. 



The mutton is said to be the most palatable of any breed, and the 

 fat is also considered a delicacy by the Bokharans, being used by them 

 instead of butter. 



The lambs when dropped are strong and active, usually jet black. 

 The wool has a high luster and should be closely curled over the 

 entire body, down the legs, and well over the head. Occasionally 

 golden-brown lambs are dropped, the color of the prophet Mohammed. 

 These are said to be especially highly valued by certain tribes and to 

 have exalted the Karakule to its sacred position. Intermixed gray 

 hairs among the black also rarely occur, producing a skin resembling 

 somewhat the Siberian silver fox. 



When used for producing fur, the lambs must be killed when not 

 older than 10 days, as the curls open after this period. Formerly 

 the skin of the unborn lamb was used, necessitating the killing of 

 both the ewe and the lamb, but this practice no longer prevails. 

 After the lambs are killed the ewes are milked for a time, and the 

 famous Brinza cheese is made from the product. The value of supe- 

 rior skins ranges from $10 to $15. 



The first Karakules to come to America were those brought over by 

 Dr. C. C. Young, of Belen, Tex., in December, 1908. This shipment 

 originally consisted of 15 head — 3 bucks and 12 ewes. Seven lambs 

 were born, during the journey. Another importation was made by 

 the same person in November, 1912, consisting of 19 head — 13 bucks 

 and 6 ewes. One buck died in quarantine and 5 lambs were born, 

 making a total of 23 head. 



A number of flocks have been established in this country from this 

 stock, in Texas, New Mexico, and Kansas, and recently a flock has 

 been taken to Prince Edward Island. The Department of Agri- 

 culture used two of these rams for experimental purposes, crossing 

 them upon ewes of the American Merino, Barbados, Cotswold, and 

 Cheviot breeds. Half-blood skins were produced, but they were 

 of poor quality. The crossing upon the Merino and Cheviot breeds 

 has helped to establish the fact that the tight-wool breeds are un- 

 suited for the production of fur. 



With the Barbados cross there still seems to be possibilities. The 

 second cross, resulting in a three-quarter blood Karakule lamb, shows 

 considerable improvement, and if the high fecundity of the Barbados 

 can be maintained in the higher crosses it may be that this work will 

 prove valuable in increasing the amount of Karakule breeding stock. 



Of the long-wool crosses with the Karakule, the Lincoln has given 

 the best results. 



The Karakule has been tried in Texas, Kansas, Maryland, and a 

 number of other places in America, and in every instance has proven 

 extremely hardy. There is no doubt but that the breed will thrive in 



