THE DELAINE MERINO 513 



grade, and should cover the body well. The ram's fleece of one 

 year's growth should weigh 15 to 25 pounds and the ewes 10 to 

 I S pounds, unwashed. The fleece carries but a moderate amount 

 of yolk, but enough for good quality. The size of the Dickinson 

 Delaine is of the large Merino type, the rams reaching 200 pounds 

 and the ewes 150. Wonderful, one of the best-known Dickinson 

 rams, bred by H. G. McDowell, weighed 200 pounds when two 

 years old, and his fleece weighed 26 pounds. The breeders claim 

 superior mutton quality for this family. 



The Black-Top Spanish Merino. The foundation of this family 

 extends back to the 1802 importation of Colonel Humphreys. 

 In 1 82 1 William Berry of Washington County, Pennsylvania, 

 purchased from W. R. Dickinson of Ohio a few ewes and a 

 choice ram of Spanish breeding that traced through the Rotch 

 sheep to Humphreys' importation. These sheep Mr. Berry bred 

 with care and developed a large flock. He bred in family lines at 

 first, and then crossed the families, endeavoring to breed a large, 

 heavy-shearing, fine-wool sheep with smooth body of mutton 

 value. In his breeding he decided that those sheep with the 

 darkest outer covering of wool or most oil had the hardiest con- 

 stitutions and most vigor and were less affected by change of 

 climate than those with fleeces of lighter color. Hence he selected 

 the darker sort and called them Black Tops. In 1847 his flock 

 numbered about 500 head. These sheep he divided equally be- 

 tween his sons Matthew and William. The former maintained 

 his flock in pure Black-Top lines, and William did the same until 

 1856, when he introduced Vermont Merino blood with such 

 detrimental results that he eventually disposed of his flock. The 

 Black-Top Spanish Merino Sheep Breeders' Association held an 

 annual meeting at Washington, Pennsylvania, January 16, 19 19, 

 and planned for the publication of Volume VII of the flock book. 



The Improved Black-Top Spanish Merino is a family that has 

 its foundation in ten ewes purchased in 1844 of George Craig- 

 head by Robert Johnston of Washington County, Pennsylvania. 

 These ewes were bred to Craighead rams until 1847, after which, 

 until 1853, rams bred by Alexander McConnell were used, the 

 latter obtaining his foundation stock from W. R. Dickinson. 

 From 1 85 3 to 1867 Mr. Johnston used only pure Black-Top rams 

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