310 
ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. 
The Body. 
The frame upon which the wool is to grow is important, for upon form 
and constitutional vigor depends the value of the animal. Below we 
give an illustration of a ram that would leave little to be desired, so far 
as ability to produce the best wool if f.onceryfcj. 
Ha.'.v r.nRi). (fr.wn photograph ) A Kansas bred American Merino, beating the world’s 
i cord with a lleece ot , r >2 pounds of 12 mouths 16 days’ growth. Weight after shear- 
ing at four years old, 120 pounds. 
Medium size, for the family, will hold in sheep as well as in other 
animals. An overgrown animal is not profitable in any breed. The 
body should he round, deep, of moderate length, the head and neck 
abort and thick, back straight and broad, the legs short, straight, but 
well apart and strong, giving a deep full bosom and buttock. The fore- 
arm ample, and the junction of the thighs well down the hocks. The 
akin should be rather thin ; mellow, elastic, and loose. If it be thick and rigid, 
it will evidence a bad feeder, and consequently inferior wool. 
The Most Profitable Sheep. 
Of all the breeds of sheep ever introduced into the United States, the 
Merino has more than held its own in the estimation of breeders every- 
