THE WOOL BREEDS OF SHEEP 369 
they scoured out no more than 12 per cent of clean wool ; 
others have made 40 per cent. Perhaps an average yield 
of clean wool would be about 30 per cent of the weight of 
the fleece as shorn. A good ewe should shear fifteen 
pounds and a ram twenty to twenty-four pounds of wool. 
Individual records may far exceed this. 
452. Distribution. — The Merino has become very 
widespread, and is now found in all civilized countries 
where flocks are kept, although it cannot be said to 
be universally popular or successful. It originated in a 
warm climate. It has shown ability to withstand hot 
weather and tropical climates, so long as they are dry. By 
far the greater part of the sheep of Australia are Merinos. 
It has also been important in New Zealand and Argentina. 
The Merino thrives in Vermont, New York, Ohio, and 
other north-central states, in Texas, and all the states of 
the West, where it constitutes by far the majority of the 
range flocks. It has never been popular in Canada, and 
is not raised in England. 
AMERICAN MeRINO SHEEP. Figs. 72, 73. 
453. The American Merino was developed from the 
Spanish Merino, the blood of several different families 
having been interbred. In recent years, the Delaine and 
Rambouillet types of Merinos have become more popular 
in America than the American Merino, owing to their 
better form and ability to fatten, and the high prices 
prevailing for mutton. 
454. Description. — The head of a typical American 
Merino is small, broad and short, the rams carrying heavy, 
spirally-twisted horns, and the ewes being horniless. 
The form of the American Merino is somewhat delicate. 
2B 
