THE WOOL BREEDS OF SHEEP 377 
RAMBOUILLET OR FRENCH Merino SuEEp 
Figs. 75, 76. 
464. The Rambouillet is a very large type of Merino, 
developed in France from Spanish Merino stock, and tak- 
ing its name from the Royal farm at the village of Ram- 
bouillet, near Paris. 
465. History.— The first importation of sheep from 
Spain to the Royal farm at the village of Rambouillet 
was in 1786. Other importations were made at later 
dates. The improvement was secured principally by 
selection, the object being to produce a large carcass, of 
good mutton form, covered with a good fleece. Much 
success was attained in point of size, although the fleece 
did not increase in the same ratio. The French govern- 
ment officials kept careful records of their breeding opera- 
tions at Rambouillet for upwards of a hundred years. 
Besides the flock at Rambouillet, other flocks were estab- 
lished in France, and from these important breeding farms 
in Germany were stocked. 
Rambouillets were first brought to America in 1840, 
under the name of French Merinos. Many were imported 
during the fifteen years following, and the breed had rather 
widespread popularity. Between the years 1856 and 
1860, a number of Rambouillets, bred by John D. Pat- 
terson, of New York, and descended from an importa- 
tion of his own, were taken to California and became 
the progenitors of several very noted flocks now existing 
in that state. In 1851, a company of Ohio breeders, 
headed by A. P. Howard, made an importation. 
At first, Rambouillets were welcomed, but later they 
went into disfavor, owing principally to an alleged lack 
