THE MERINO OR FINE-WOOL TYPE OF SHEEP 335 



Delaines and Rambouillets represent this type. These have a 

 fleece with less yolk and weight although an increased length 

 of staple, with a still larger, smoother body, approaching nearer 

 the mutton type of carcass, while the fleece retains its typical 

 fine-wool character. 



The use of the three classes of Merinos may be found in the 

 very best American flocks, one man keeping sheep of each class. 

 As sheep of Class C lack weight and quality of fleece to some 



Fig. 149. The Sweepstakes Merino ram of the Class B type at the Illinois 

 State Fair and the .St. Louis Exposition and Fair. Exhibited by C. H. 

 Bell of Ohio. Photograph from the American Sheep Breeder 



extent, careful matings of rams of Class A are made upon ewes 

 of C, resulting in the more desirable B sort, shearing much more 

 easily than those of A, giving a reasonably heavy fleece, and 

 producing an improvement over A for mutton. By variously 

 mating these three classes the breeder may secure a type of 

 Merino to suit his special needs. Thus some of our best breeders 

 are able to supply calls for sheep of any or all of the three types. 

 The head of the Merino sheep should be short, broad at the 

 muzzle, with large nostrils. A nose short and inclined to be 



