THE WOOL BREEDS OF SHEEP 375 
sion of twenty-five Black-top ewes, that traced to the 
Dickinson flock. On these he used rams of Berry and 
Johnston breeding, and from this foundation developed 
the Improved Black-top Delaine, the word ‘“ improved ” 
being used because the advocates considered this family 
superior to the Black-top Spanish. 
460. Description. — Delaine sheep have smoother 
bodies than the American Merinos, with fewer folds and 
wrinkles, sometimes with none. They vary considerably 
in type, according to the individual ideals of their many 
breeders. They are larger 
and heavier than American 
Merinos and fatten more 
readily. The weight of 
matured rams may be given 
as 140 to 200 pounds, and 
of ewes as 100 to 150 
pounds (Fig. 74). Their 
breeders have striven to 
combine mutton qualities, 
to some extent, with the production of a fine fleece. The 
breeders avail themselves rather freely of whatever Merino 
blood they fancy will improve their type. Thus, when 
the flock is losing in weight of fleece, they sometimes 
resort to the use of American Merino rams to thicken the 
fleece and make it heavier, or to Rambouillet rams to 
increase the size. The important item sought is to keep 
good size and mutton quality, while furnishing fleece of 
good length and staple, grading XX or better. 
461. Uses of Delaine Merino sheep. — The Delaine 
Merinos bear wool a little longer and coarser in fiber than 
the American Merinos, with a little less crimp and less 
oil, and with stronger fibers well adapted to carding. 
Fia. 74.— Delaine Merino ram. 
