44 Sheep-Farming 



In the early days of Merino breeding, the Delaine 

 type was recognized, distinguished by its light folds 

 or no folds, fleshier bodies, and some special length 

 of staple. There came to be recognized Standard 

 Delaines, National Delaines, and Improved Delaine 

 Merinos. From Pennsylvania, also, there emanated 

 the Black Top Spanish Merino, having a separate 

 register for a time. In some cases, the registers really 

 represented separate lines of descent more than actual 

 distinctness of type. There were numerous trans- 

 fers of sheep from one register to another with en- 

 suing confusion and duplication of work and ex- 

 pense. Practical difficulties arose in classifications 

 for showing. At times some of the types that were 

 really quite different were required to show together. 

 At other times separate judging and sets of prizes 

 were furnished to so-called breeds that were too 

 nearly alike to justify such segregation or registra- 

 tion. At the time of the Louisiana Exposition, a plan 

 was evolved for classifying the types of American 

 Merinos, and this plan is one now generally in use 

 at the leading fairs. Some of the superfluous 

 registers have been abandoned and others have 

 combined, until at present the number of societies 

 is limited to three. 



Classes of American Merinos. — The plan referred 

 to for classifying American Merinos provides three 

 groups or classes, known as A, B, and C. Class A 

 includes the sheep that represent the extreme in 



