192 THE AMERICAN MERINO 



Their greater weight of fleece was due not only to increased density 

 and length of wool, but also to the development of larger and more 

 wrinkles or folds in the skin, thus giving a greater surface upon 

 which to grow wool. 



Other Pioneer Breeders. — Although the prominent part Ham- 

 mond had in developing the American Merino is generally acknowl- 

 edged, it is perhaps too sweeping to say that it originated solely 

 from his work. For, during his time and shortly after, there were 

 a number of capable breeders who deserve mention as belonging in 

 the pioneer ranks. Not all of them can be mentioned here, but 

 important ones include the names of Charles Rich, of Shoreham, 

 Vermont, and his sons, John T. and Charles, and also his grand- 

 sons, J. T. and Virtulan; Tyler Stickney, also of Shoreham, and 

 William E. Sanford, of Orwell, Vermont. All these stand out 

 prominently in the history of the American Merino. For years 

 Vermont was a Mecca for Merino breeders in search of stud stock, 

 but there were many splendid flocks further west in New York, 

 Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, and a few in Illinois and Wisconsin. 

 In fact, in order to be just to New York, Ohio, and Michigan, they 

 should be mentioned with Vermont as the regions in which the 

 American Merino attained its highest degree of perfection 

 (Fig. 131). 



Description. — A single description will not fit the American 

 Merino of to-day, or of any other time for that matter. This is 

 true because breeders vary type somewhat with respect to form of 

 body, wrinkles or folds in the skin and properties of fleece. Ham- 

 mond kept three strains of blood, the representatives of which were 

 said to be easily distinguishable because of differences in external 

 characters. In the best of flocks three types are usually to be 

 found. These have come to be known as the A, B, and C types. 

 Since they come from the same parent stock, they are very much 

 alike in many respects. The rams, as a rule, have heavy, spirally- 

 turned horns and the ewes are hornless. The hair on face, ears, 

 and legs is white, fine and silky, although reddish-brown spots 

 sometimes appear around the muzzle and eyes, and on the ears ; the 

 lips, nostrils, and skin are deep pink and the hoofs are white. The 

 wool completely covers the body and extends well over the face and 

 legs, and although it varies with each type in length, density, fine- 

 ness, and amount of yolk or oil, it has a marked resemblance in all 

 three types. The wool is very fine and uniform in structure, as is 



