Breeds of Sheep 45 



production of wool. (Figs. 10, 11, PI. I.) The entire 

 body is covered with folds and wrinkles. The yolk is 

 very abundant. To be properly classed as A type, 

 sheep must also show the greatest density of fleece and 

 fineness of its fibers, though the length is not so great 

 as in the classes having plainer bodies and less fineness. 



Class B is to include sheep less heavily folded than 

 in class A. The body is more developed and the 

 weight of fleece in proportion to body weight is less. 

 The staple is of greater length. This type of sheep 

 is a practical one for commercial wool-production. 

 The heavy folds of class A sheep and the difficulty 

 they cause at shearing time put them at a disad- 

 vantage from the wool grower's standpoint. It is 

 claimed, however, that such a type must be main- 

 tained to afford a means of maintaining fineness, 

 density, and oil, which qualities are difficult to main- 

 tain in flocks bred pure to other types. 



Class C is the Delaine Merino. (Fig. 14, PL III.) 

 The Rambouillet is not included in the A, B, and C 

 classification. Class C sheep retain marked fineness 

 of fiber with considerably greater length than is found 

 in either class A or class B. They are nearly free 

 from folds and rank much higher as mutton producers 

 than either A or B types. While each animal is 

 registered as either of A, B, or C type, there is no 

 hindrance to mingling the types. The class desig- 

 nation is based solely on individuality and does not 

 necessarily imply anything regarding parentage. 



