Breeds of Sheep 201 
THE CoMPARATIVE DIAMETER OF THE WOOLS OF DIFFERENT BREEDS OF 
SHEEP 
AVERAGE DIAMETER or FIBER 
Name or BREED 
Centimillimeters Fraction of an Inch 
Merino. . i Sg: ay Ex ee B 2.127 rts 
Southdown ...... 3 2.936 ao 
Hampshire Down . a 3.298 Tes 
Lincoln . . . . . 1 3.707 BEB 
Leicester . . . . . we 3.879 oht 
Cotswold en oe hase 3 4.196 abs 
Oxford Down . pyar? 4.365 BET 
324. Delaine Merino fine-wool sheep. — The word “ Delaine ” 
is of French origin and signifies ‘‘ from wool.’’ Delaine wool can 
be combed and spun with the fibers of full length, making a fabric 
of great strength and durability. It is used in making fine, un- 
twilled, worsted dress goods. The Delaine type has been developed 
from importations of Spanish Merinos, somewhat similar to the 
American Merino. There are several families of Delaines, of which 
the following are most important : — 
The Dickinson Delaine. — This family was originated and de- 
veloped by William R. Dickinson of Steubenville, Ohio, who bred 
from about 1809 to 1830. James McDowell became possessed of 
some of the Dickinson flock and established the McDowell strain 
of Dickinsons. 
The National Delaine. — This family was originated by Alex- 
ander Reed of Washington County, Pennsylvania, who began 
breeding about 1821, although the sheep he used in establishing 
the family was imported from Spain by R. W. Mead in 1820. 
Animals from the Reed flock became widely distributed among 
breeders in Pennsylvania and West Virginia, who developed the 
family, perhaps more than Reed. 
The Black Top Spanish Delaine. — This family of Merinos was 
