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BREEDS Of SHJitr ainu LjUA i .5 



Fig. 44. — Merino ram. 



they have been bred to Mexican sheep to improve the 

 quality of the wool of the latter. Merinos are hardy and 

 can endure both the heat of the south and the cold of the 

 north. They can be handled in large flocks, which is a 

 decided advantage on the range. The rams have strong 

 twisted horns, while the ewes are hornless. Rams weigh from 

 100 to 175 pounds and ewes weigh from 80 to 100 pounds. 



The Delaine. — This breed has been developed in 

 America by selecting from the larger Merinos the smoothest 

 sheep with longest and coarsest wool. 



The wool has less oil and coarser crimp or kink than 

 that of the American Merino. However, the quality of 

 the mutton is higher and the lambs fatten and mature much 

 better. The horned rams weigh from 140 to 200 pounds, 

 while the hornless ewes weigh from 100 to 150 pounds. 



