Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1879-11-20
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The following description Of the ideal
Mcrino- was prepared by VIM. G..
Markham. PrcsiIeu, Of the New York
Sheep Breeders aud Wool Growers
association, and recently published M
der tie auspices OF the National Assoc
istion of Wool Manufacturers:
"Our Merinos. a. originally imported
from Spain, were bred Tor wool. and
very little attention wa, given TO their
neat-producing qualities. Ia improy-
ing them wool la. been kept the main
object in view, and mutton has been
made an important consideration in
their value. Il has been the aim Of breed
ers TO produce sheep yielding the
creates. percentage OF profit in dollar.
and cents, rather than to produce any
specific quality OF wool or mutton
"Seyent years oil vell-direcied
efforts by highly intelligent breeders.
has bTodght out type Of Merinos which
may well be regarded a. the acme Of
their kind. These sheep are large.
symmetrical in form. having robust
constitutions, aud thoroughly covered
with dense fleece.
The essential qualifications which
indicate constitution are compact
round body; ribs well archcd: roomy
waist; back Of medium length. ana
straight from shoulder to hips, slopiug
slightly TO tie tail. which i cut about
an inch from carcass: broad across tie
loins; hips broad and long. thick
through the thighs and standing straight
up ana down behind; the shoulder
deep rising slightly from the back;
bosom iull, and projecting well tor
ward; leg. large, strong boned straight,
OF medium length. aud standing wide
apart; head OF medium size, broad and
rather short; short, broad wrinklei
nose, thicklv covered with short. silky
white hair. TIE ram should have
large, broad well-curvei horns: the
eve, never. Neck OF eve. medium
length. under which j. a wide dewlap.
Tie lam has short neck. ana well
plated with heavy fold, under side aud
across the breast, extending in slight
corrugaiions over the neck. Fashion
ZAfN7 mum " iAA AfAAttA " alhlf- bANh Oh
fore legs, running well up the side to-
wards the back, fold. at the bullock
united with the edges of the tail, giving
il broad appearance, wrinkles on the
breech extending across the thigh and
| flank, giving him deep flank; the skin
| deep purple, soft, flexible, and loose oy-
er the entire carcass. giving the sheep
when fret shorn q cranky appearance
but not observable when in full fleece.
The ram in full fleece weighs about 1870
lbs, and the eve about us.
The fleece, particularly that of the
eve should be uniform over the entire
sheep a. 10 the length, quality and den.
siiy. The wool standing at right angles
TO the outer surface. and so firmly set
as TO present an even compact surface.
should be so filed with free white or
light buff yolk as to make up so or %
per cent Of the entire weight of the
fleece.
when the sheep are kept from storms
during the fall and winter. the yolk
should form a dark coating on the sur.
face OF fleece so firm as TO keep out dirt.
hay seed etc.
THE fleece should open freely To the
| presenting q
lusirous fiber, about / ? inches long
having a distinct crimp, uniform
throughout the entire length, and suffic-
iently fine 10 enter into the manufacture
OF cashmere, and such choice wooler
fabrics as are made in our country
though usually not so fine as is required
for the finest broadclotbs.
"The rams fleece is about a quarter
of an inch shorter Than that of the eve
staple not so tine, particularly on III.
wrinkles, often showing coarse hairs OF
the top of the neck wrinkles. By man,
breeders these are considered objection
able; by Others an indication of stamina
or masculinity. as the heavy beard of
man would indicate more vitality thar
light, fine whiskers. Very few of on
most celebrated stock rams of the pas
or present have been entirely free from
coarse hairs on the neck. The rarni
fleece should weigh % to 80 lbs; III,
ewes is to 10 lbs. Many focks o
ewes, and even rams, are bred NOR,
wrinkly than have described; and ar,
regarded as possessing the desirabl,
points in an exaggerated form, with .
view of raising the low standard NOR,
rapidly