THf: DELAINE MERINO 



361 



While the fleece will not be as heavy as in the wrinkly type, it should weigh 

 from seven to nine pounds, and sell without any reduction. This will equal 

 an oily fleece of twelve to fourteen pounds, with a third taken off by the 

 wool buyer. Plain sheep, as a rule, are better milkers, more careful mothers, 

 have better feet, and are the easier to prepare for the butcher's block. 



Sheep of this variety should have a staple three inches long 

 for twelve months' growth. Rams at maturity should weigh at 

 least 150 pounds and ewes not less than 100 pounds. 



The Black Top Spanish Merino. The foundation of this variety 

 extends back to the 1802 importation of Colonel Humphreys. 

 Mr. W. R. Dickinson of Ohio, about 1809, purchased of Thomas 

 Rotch some sheep of Humphreys's importation. In Dickinson's 



Fig. 160. A group of Dickinson Delaine Merino ewes bred by Mr. H. G. 

 McDowell and very typical of this family. Photograph from the owner 



hands these sheep were bred with some care for about twenty 

 years. In 1821 William Berry of Washington County, Pennsyl- 

 vania, purchased from Mr. Dickinson a few ewes and a choice ram 

 of Spanish breeding. These sheep Mr. Berry bred with care, 

 developing a large flock. Mr. Berry bred his flock in family lines 

 at first, and then crossed the families, endeavoring to produce a 

 large, heavy-shearing, fine-wool sheep with smooth body of mutton 

 value. In his breeding he decided that those sheep with the 

 darkest outer covering of wool or most oil had the hardiest con- 

 stitutions and most vigor, and were less affected by change of 

 climate than those with fleeces of lighter color. Thus he selected 

 the darker sort and termed these Black Tops. In 1847 his flock 

 numbered about 500 head, when he divided equally between 



