MODERN FARRIER. 4)29 



Mr. Culley, the weight of ewes on the average 

 about 20 pounds a quarter: in wedders, at two 

 years and a half old, 30 pounds. Length of wool 

 much the same as in the Romney-marsh breed. It 

 is a breed found to be prevalent in the districts from 

 which it has derived its name. And it is supposed 

 to have received consideiable improvement by being 

 crossed with the new Leicester or Dishley improved 

 sort within these few late years. 



29- Black-faced Heath Breed. 



This is a kind or breed of sheep which, according 

 to Mr. Culley, have large spiral horns, black faces 

 and legs, a fierce wild-looking eye, short firm car- 

 cases, from 12 pounds to 16 pounds per quarter, co- 

 vered with long, open, coarse shagged wool, fleeces 

 3 pounds or 4 pounds each, wool worth at present 

 about 8c?. per pound. They are an active hardy 

 sort, running with amazing agility, and best adapted, 

 of all other breeds, to exposed, heathy, and moun- 

 tainous districts; seldom fed until three, four, or 

 five years old, when they feed well, and make the 

 finest mutton, having a high-flavoured gravy. The 

 sheep of this wild-looking breed are natives of the 

 north-west of Yorkshire, and of that mountainous 

 tract of country adjoining the Irish sea, from Lan- 

 cashire to Fort William : they have been of late 

 years introduced into the western Highlands of 

 Scotland. 



The writer of the ' Treatise on Live Stock,' sup- 

 poses the black-faced Linton, or short sheep of Scot- 

 land, to be a variety of the heath-sheep. They 

 have been crossed with the Cheviot breed, and Mr. 

 Culley, it is noticed, recommends a Dishley cross, 

 meaning, doubtless, for the use of the low lands. Ijp 

 he may be allowed to give an opinion, he would, 

 for upland situations, recommend a Spanish cross, 

 with good winter management, in preference to all 

 ethers. 



