lo June, .1909.] Romney Marsh Sheep. 377 



seen, and in these, want of character is pardonable. Although lustre 

 itself is created to a great extent by the country sheep are bred in, it is 

 usual to find with Romneys showing the most lustre and length of staple, 

 a tendency to the thinner and rather longer ear. This, when considered 

 together with lengthy style of fleece, is the first indication of drifting 

 from true type. 



Hoofs, also, are a distinct and safe indication of type. The Romney 

 is a black hoofed breed ; all black hoofed breeds of sheep are more 

 resistant of foot disease than white hoofed breeds, and Romneys certainly 

 take pride of place in this respect. In the low lying land on which they 

 lived, hoofs had to be stout and thick. By way of comparison, merinoes, 

 as a breed, are the most susceptible to foot diseases, having a white hoof 

 with comparatively thin wall. From a wool point of view, especially, 

 merinoes do not breed true, if showing black, brow^n, or striped hoofs. 

 Breeders should be just as particular to see that Romney hoofs are all 

 black, as merino breeders are to see that merino hoofs are all white. 



A danger our best Romney breeders have to face, is that flock 

 Romneys are too easily imitated. Rams, by neat Lincoln or English 

 Leicester sires, from selected half-bred longwool -merino ewes, resemble 

 Romneys so very closely, that it needs a fair judge of sheep to decide at 

 times what they really are, and the majority of our lamb-raising farmers 

 do not yet know sufficient in sheep matters to discriminate for themselves. 



Pure Romneys should have a full level girth, even when in low con- 

 dition, broad level shoulders which spread the hand w^hen spanning it, 

 loin and hind-quarter as nearly as possible in proportion, short thick neck 

 with proportionately wide head, short broad muzzle, (not sniped nosed) 

 giving plenty room for wide sturdy teeth. Hoofs should be jet black, and 

 in size proportionate to the bone, hair on the legs should be short and a 

 clear white denoting hard bone, which bone should be in weight pro- 

 portionate to the carcase, whether ram or ewe. Ears should be on the 

 short side, thick and mellow, and covered with soft white hair. The 

 muzzle should be dark, and the face should be a clear white ; not the soft 

 white of the merino, or the bluish white of some of the English Leicesters 

 and Lincolns. 



In choosing a stud Romney sire, a lengthy level back, with absence 

 of high hard wither, good point at brisket, full behind the arm, good 

 middle, full flank, good leg of mutton, (not too coarse In the breech) well 

 filled in behind, are all additional points to be sought for. In fleece 

 points, a medium grade of attractive wool, of fair length, and medium 

 density only, as well and eyenly covered down the fore arm, thigh, and 

 underneath as can be attained without neglecting carcase qualities, as well 

 as a neat top-knot, is sufficient. 



Some typical specimens of the breed are here illustrated. The yearling 

 ram, " Newbold," is the property of Mr. W. H. Yelland, " Treverder," 

 Newlyn, near Ballarat, and purchased by him when in New Zealand. This 

 sheep is a wonderfully thick youngster, and very true to type. The ewe, 

 "Lady El lam," was also bought by Mr. Yelland w^hen in New Zealand, 

 and at the last Royal Show in Melbourne, was awarded First and 

 Champion Prize. The group of Romneys are also New Zealand bred ; 

 50me of these afterwards went to Mr. S. Wrathall's stud at Geelong, and 

 a few to Queensland. 



