FINE-WOOL BREEDS. 29 



Tke iiambouiilet is perhaps the most pop- 

 ular today of all the Merinos, great numbers 

 being found on the Western ranges, where 

 there are also great breeding establishments. 

 Here thousands of pure-bred rams are grown. 

 Fashions change even on the ranges and at 

 present there is inquiry for Delaines, and m^y 

 rams of mixed Delaine and Eambouillet blood 

 are used, besides some with an infusion of 

 the blood of the American Merino. Eambouil- 

 lets are truly wonderful sheep, of great size 

 and unlimited capacity to consume food. With 

 a top of mutton rams they produce great lambs 

 or make superb wethers. 



Eambouillets have been grown profitably for 

 50 years in Ohio. There are indeed some farms 

 that have been stocked with these sheep con- 

 tinuously for that length of time, which is 

 unusual in America, In recent years the breed 

 has been considerably improved by fresh 

 importations and by careful matings, so that 

 both form and fleece are better than formerly. 

 The Eastern Rambouillet growers have for 

 some years enjoyed a very profitable trade in 

 rams which they have sent to the Western 

 ranges. However, the large Western breeders 

 are absorbing much of that trade of late, so 

 that only the choicest rams are in demand for 

 Western shipments. A good flock of Eambouil- 

 lets will pay for their wool and mutton, and 

 Eambouillet ewes make a most admirable basis 

 for a cross-bred flock. 



Eambouillet and Delaine Merinos have the 

 ability to conceive early and drop their Iambs 



