EAST OP THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER. 313 



These results are considered as very gratifying to Vermont breeders, 

 as showing a large per cent of clean wool and a correspondingly small 

 shrinkage from the unwashed fleeces in most of them. Some of them are 

 remarkable in that respect, notably those of 0. P. Crane, Bi-idport, 

 Albert Chapman, of Middlebury, and G. H. Smith, of Addison, cleans- 

 ing respectively 44.79, 43.42, and 42.7 per cent. All were ewes. 



All the fleeces were cleansed by manufacturers and were as thoroughly 

 done as they practice with the wool they usually manufacture into 

 cloth fit for their cards. The great advantage of this wool after being 

 cleansed, in consequence of its superior strength of staple and elasticity 

 in comparison with the weaker staple of Australian wool, that shrinks 

 so much more in the processes of manufacturing after the wool has 

 passed through the cleansing process, was manifest in these fleeces and 

 is becoming better appreciated by the manufacturers.* 



Along with the improvement in the fleece has followed an increase in 

 the size of the sheep, an increase of 15 to 25 per cent, and with it an im- 

 provement in their build, appearance, and beauty, accompanied with 

 greater vigor of constitution. When the Spanish Merinos were first 

 taken into the State, rams weighed from 100 to 110 pounds and ewes 

 from 70 to 75 pounds. These weights have been increased on an aver- 

 age slightly exceeding 20 per cent, in some cases 30 and 40 per cent. 

 It has been found that the small sheep, with equal length and thickness 

 of fleece, on account of greater proportionate surface, will produce the 

 largest per cent of wool, and the tendency a few years ago was to 

 sacrifice size to per cent of fleece. It was found that some small sheep 

 were yielding a larger per cent of wool than their size and constitution 

 would warrant their sustaining. Consequently breeders began to 

 gradually increase their size, a feat which it was believed could be ac- 

 complished without sacrificing any of the good qualities already attained. 

 It is not believed that Vermont will ever be able to produce large 

 Merinos. The conditions are unfavorable to this. It is found, how- 

 ever, that when Vermont Merinos, after reaching mature age, are taken 

 to any section of the United States outside of New England they will 

 increase in size. This is claimed by sheep-breeders in all States South 

 and West and admitted by Vermont breeders. While Vermont can 

 produce a stocky, thick-set carcass, the South and West produce more 

 length of body and legs, a more rangy and larger sheep. The same 

 causes may produce the difterence that is observed in the build of men 

 raised in different sections of the country. Finally, as to size, the Ver- 

 mont breeders prefer a medium-sized sheep, with a round, deep body, 

 short, thick neck, broad, straight back, square buttock, straight from 

 tail to the hoof, length from nose to tail 3 to 3 feet 8 inches, height to 

 top of shoulder flve-eighths of length, depth of body from two and one- 

 half to four times the length of leg. The soil and climate favor the 

 production of this build of Merino.f 



* Register of tlie Verinrjiit Merino Sheep Broeilers' Association, Vol. iii. 

 t Henry Lane, in Vermont Agricultural Report, 1881-82. 



