54 BULLETIN 94, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
are kept entirely in the mountains during the summer and until snow 
flies; then they are driven to the lowlands, where they are wintered. 
The mutton is said to be the most palatable of any breed, and the 
fat is also considered a delicacy by the Bokharans, being used by them 
instead of butter. 
The lambs when dropped are strong and active, usually jet black. 
The wool has a high luster and should be closely curled over the 
entire body, down the legs, and well over the head. Occasionally 
golden-brown lambs are dropped, the color of the prophet Mohammed. 
These are said to be especially highly valued by certain tribes and to 
have exalted the Karakule to its sacred position. Intermixed gray 
hairs among the black also rarely occur, producing a skin resembling 
somewhat the Siberian silver fox. 
When used for producing fur, the lambs must be killed when not 
older than 10 days, as the curls open after this period. Formerly 
the skin of the unborn lamb was used, necessitating - the killing of 
both the ewe and the lamb, but this practice no longer prevails. 
After the lambs are killed the ewes are milked for a time, and the 
famous Brinza cheese is made from the product. The value of supe- 
rior skins ranges from $10to $15. 
The first Karakules to come to America were those brought over by 
Dr. C. C. Young, of Belen, Tex., in December, 1908. This shipment 
originally consisted of 15 head — 3 bucks and 12 ewes. Seven lambs 
were born, during the journey. Another importation was made by 
the same person in November, 1912, consisting of 19 head — 13 bucks 
and 6 ewes. One buck died in quarantine and 5 lambs were born, 
making a total of 23 head. 
A number of flocks have been established in this country from this 
stock, in Texas, New Mexico, and Kansas, and recently a flock has 
been taken to Prince Edward Island. The Department of Agri- 
culture used two of these rams for experimental purposes, crossing 
them upon ewes of the American Merino, Barbados, Cotswold, and 
Cheviot breeds. Half-blood skins were produced, but they were 
of poor quality. The crossing upon the Merino and Cheviot breeds 
has helped to establish the fact that the tight-wool breeds are un- 
suited for the production of fur. 
With the Barbados cross there still seems to be possibilities. The 
second cross, resulting in a three-quarter blood Karakule lamb, shows 
considerable improvement, and if the high fecundity of the Barbados 
can be maintained in the higher crosses it may be that this work will 
prove valuable in increasing the amount of Karakule breeding stock. 
Of the long-wool crosses with the Karakule, the Lincoln has given 
the best results. 
The Karakule has been tried in Texas, Kansas, Maryland, and a 
number of other places in America, and in every instance has proven 
extremely hardy. There is no doubt but that the breed will thrive in 
