Sheep; Its History, Breeding, Production 



11 



ter in the history of sheep. Large flocks were moved from south to 

 central Spain each spring, and returned again in the fall, the total dis- 

 tance of these annual journeys 

 being over a thousand miles. The 

 rugged strength and endurance of 

 these sheep was undoubtedly most 

 strongly developed at this time. 

 The Merino is a gregarious animal 

 and the improved American Mer- 

 ino shows the result of this in- 

 heritance in its ability to exist in 

 great flocks and to thrive and sub- 

 sist under a great variety of cli- 

 matic and other varied conditions. 

 The Merino was introduced into 

 this country as early as 1793, and 

 An A Type Merino Ram since that time great progress has 



been made in the development of both its fleece and form. It is a wool 

 bearing sheep, and its carcass does not produce much mutton, nor is it 

 of a good quality, but because of its hardihood and great wool bearing 

 qualities, it is now in great demand to cross on the coarser wooled breeds. 

 Such great breeders as Humphrey, Atwood, Hammond and many others 

 have done much towards developing this novel sheep. 



There have always been several types of the Merino, but I will only 

 attempt to give the reader a vague idea of the most distinct types now 

 in use, and they are the A, B and C types. The American Merino is a 

 short legged, deep bodied sheep, mature rams in full fleece weighing 

 around 120 to 170 pounds, ewes 85 to 130 pounds. Their wool is very 

 fine, and suitable for making the finest clothing. The staple is short, 

 and a twelve month's growth only measures about one and one-half 

 inches in length, but owing to the great mass of folds or wrinkles in 

 the skin, it presents a big surface for growing wool. A mature ram in 

 twelve months will grow a fleece 

 weighing from 25 to 30 pounds, 

 ewes 15 to 20 pounds. The rams 

 as a rule have heavy, spiral turned 

 horns, and the ewes are hornless. 



The Delaine Merino is a type de- 

 veloped for both wool and mutton, 

 and it is quite free from wrinkles. 

 It is larger than the A type and 

 mature rams weigh from 150 to 

 200 pounds, ewes 100 to 150. Their 

 wool is fine, and in twelve months 

 it will reach a length of about three 

 inches. Rams will shear 15 to 25 

 pounds of unwashed wool, ewes 10 

 to 15 pounds. The rams are both 

 horned and hornless, but the ewes 

 have no horns. They do not have many twins and are slow to mature, 

 but are noted for their rugged constitution and longevity. They are 



B Type Delaine Merino Ram 



