EAST OP THE MISSISSIPPI EIVER. 651 



The fleece sliorii from the 2-year-olil ewe iu class 1, Aveiylung 24^ 

 pounds, was the heaviest ewe fleece ever known up to that time in the 

 Korthwest. 



At the Central Wisconsin Sheep-Breeders' Association shearing of 

 1887, 5 rams 2 years old and over gave fleeces weighing Sli^e? 29, 

 28-j\., 28^1, and 32if pounds. 



At the eighth annual shearing of the Central Wisconsin Sheep-Breed- 

 ers' and Wool-Growers' Association in May, 1888, a 6-year old ram, 

 belonging to T. F. & C. D. McConnell, of Eipon, sheared 38 pounds of 

 wool. A 2-year old ram belonging to the same parties sheared 33 

 pounds; another 28 pounds, and still another 31 pounds. A yearling 

 ram from the same flock sheared 19J pounds. U. Wood, of Brandon, 

 sheared 30^ pounds fiom a 3-year old ram, 27 pounds from a 2-year 

 old, and 21 pounds from a 4-year old ewe. Dixon Bros., of Brandon, 

 sheared a 3-year old ram that produced 29| pounds. Twelve rams 

 produced an aggregate of wool that averaged 30 pounds 5 ounces each. 

 The exhibition was never equaled in the State, and Delaine Merinos, 

 rams, and ewes gave a wonderful showing of staple 2J to 4 inches in 

 length, mostly running 3J to 3^ inches. 



The shearing of the Southeastern Wisconsin sheep-breeders at Cald- 

 well, April 27 and 28, 1892, made a good showing for the Merinos, and 

 an indication that the Merino breeders were striving for a larger sheep 

 with more mutton quality, less wrinkles and yolk, and longer staple. 

 A Eambouillet ram owned by H. O. Bayley attracted much attention. 

 He was 5 years old, weighed about 200 pounds, had a fairly good mut- 

 ton carcass, and sheared 12J pounds of very clean medium staple about 

 5 inches in length. An American Merino ram, 3 years old, gained first 

 prize with 24 pounds of wool, and a 2-year old ram with 27 pounds. A 

 2-year old Delaine Merino ram gave 21^ pounds. A Shropshire ewe, 12 

 months old, gave 12 pounds 14 ounces. 



The shearing records of the Wisconsin association do not include many 

 fleeces of over 30 pounds in weight, but many such rams have been bred 

 in the State. Breeders seem to prefer rams of medium size and weight 

 of carcass, of compact build, believing that from such animals they get 

 the best results. The improvement in "Wisconsin sheep has been uni- 

 form and steady, both ia weight of carcass and in weight and quality of 

 the fleece. The larger proportion of the best Merino wool of the State 

 consists of a long, flue, and 'strong staple free from an excess of oil 

 beyond what is necessary to the preservation of its quality and luster. 



In 1883 about 75 per cent of the sheep of Wisconsin, or 1,020,000 out 

 of 1,360,000, were of Merino blood, and 25 per cent, or 340,000, of English 

 blood. In 1890 about 50 per cent were of Merino blood and 50 per cent 

 of English blood, or an equal division of the 809,000 sheep in the State; 

 404,500 Merinos, 404,500 English sheep. This great change occurred 

 mostly between 1885 and 1890, and had its greatest development in the 

 Shropshires, though nearly all the English breeds contributed. The 



