CHAPTER III 



SHEEP FOR WOOL, FOR MUTTON AND FOR 

 BOTH USES 



This chapter discusses the following phases of the 

 subjects of which it treats: (i) Classification of sheep 

 based on use ; (2) The wool and mutton-producing 

 breeds; (3) The influences that affect wool production; 

 (4) The influences that afifect mutton production; (5) 

 The wool and mutton breeds contrasted ; (6) Conditions 

 more favorable to mutton production mainly; (7) Cross- 

 ing merinos on mutton breeds and their grades; (8) 

 Crossing mutton breeds on Merinos and their grades ; 

 (9) What the aim should be in wool production ; and (10) 

 What the aim should be in mutton production. 



Classification based on use — The classification of 

 sheep based on use divides them into wool-producing and 

 mutton-producing breeds, and also into breeds which are 

 grown for the dual purpose of furnishing both wool and 

 mutton. In the United States and Canada sheep are 

 never grown exclusively for one purpose, though they are 

 frequently grown with a view to give prominence to wool 

 production in the one instance and to mutton production 

 in the other. In well-managed flocks, the aim now is to 

 produce a maximum yield of both wool and mutton from 

 the breed or grade of sheep that is being grown. 



The time was when sheep were grown in the United 

 States much more for the production of wool than for the 

 production of mutton. Wool was the primary object 

 sought, mutton being the secondary or incidental product. 

 This held down what may be termed the American 

 Merino age of sheep husbandry in the United States. 

 This period covered practically the whole of the nine- 

 teenth century, although during the last quarter of the 



