26 SHEEP FARMING IN AMERICA. 



idea in developing these two families lias been 

 to secure a larger sheep than the original 

 Merino, a better feeder, a hardier sheep and 

 with a "Delaine" wool. This wool should 

 have parallel fibers of sufficient length for 

 combing purposes. There is unquestionable 

 merit in these sheep and in the hands of some 

 breeders they approach closely to the mutton 

 type without losing their valuable fleeces. De- 

 laines are hardy, healthy when rightly man- ■ 

 aged, their lambs from mutton sires are su- 

 perior for the market and a well managed 

 flock of either Delaines or Black Tops has 

 never been unprofitable. The name "Black 

 Top ' ' was given by the originator of the type 

 because his best sheep had a dark crust on 

 the outside of the fleece, composed of oil 

 and dirt, this crust keeping out weather and 

 serving to shelter the sheep. It is doubtful, 

 however, if sheej) should be required to carrj' 

 shelter from rain on their backs. 



EAMBOUILLETS. 



Nearly two centuries ago the French gov- 

 ernment began importing Merino ewes from 

 Spain and then was laid the foundation of 

 the breed that is called the "French Merino," 

 or "Eambouillet," after the village in France 

 where the stud flock has been kept. With dif- 

 ferent feeds, different ideals and selection, the 

 breed has become quite different from the 

 other families of Merinos, having much greater 

 size and a different type of wool, with coarser 

 fiber, though yet a Merino wool. 



