. Cyclopedia of farm animals. Domestic animals; Animal products. Fig. 625. Delaine Merino ram. many breeders. They are larger and heavier than American Merinos and fatten more readily. The weight of matured rams may be given as 140 to 200 pounds, and of ewes as 100 to 150 pounds. Their breeders have striven to combine mutton qualities, to some extent, with the production of a fine fleece. The breeders avail themselves rather freely of whatever Merino blood they fancy will improve their type. Thus, when the flock is losing in weight of fleece, they sometimes resort to the use of American Merino
. Cyclopedia of farm animals. Domestic animals; Animal products. Fig. 625. Delaine Merino ram. many breeders. They are larger and heavier than American Merinos and fatten more readily. The weight of matured rams may be given as 140 to 200 pounds, and of ewes as 100 to 150 pounds. Their breeders have striven to combine mutton qualities, to some extent, with the production of a fine fleece. The breeders avail themselves rather freely of whatever Merino blood they fancy will improve their type. Thus, when the flock is losing in weight of fleece, they sometimes resort to the use of American Merino rams to thicken the fleece and make it heavier, or to Ram- bouillet rams to increase the size. The important item sought is to keep good size and mutton quality, while furnishing fleece of good length and staple, grading XX or better. Distribution. Among breeds of Merinos, the Delaine is growing in popularity. It is found in New York, Pennsyl- vania, Ohio, Michigan, Iowa, and in adjoining states. For use on the ranges, the Delaines are finding increasing favor, especially where the pas- turage is good. The Black-top Spanish Merino is especially numerous in parts of Pennsylvania where it was developed. They are less hardy than the American Merino. Fam Hies. The Dickinson Delaines were developed from sheep of the Humphrey importation of 1802, men- tioned above, by William R. Dickinson of Ohio, who began his improvement of Merino sheep in 1809. James McDowell became possessed of some of the Dickinson flock and created the McDowell strain of Dickinsons. The standard of excellence for Dick- inson Delaines says that the sheep shall have a deep, round, wide and long body, showing mutton capacity, carrying heavy, thick flesh, the top- and under-lines straight, the skin smooth and pink and well filled out, being free from folds. The head may have small horns, but a polled head is preferred. The fleece should be three to five inches long, of a quality to grade XX or XXX fine Delaine com
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