430 MODERN FARRIER. 



30. Ross or Ryeland Breed. 



This is a sort of sheep which is distinguished by 

 the author of the ' Treatise on Live Stock,' by the 

 want of horns, and having white legs and faces ; by 

 being small in size ; and the wool growing close to 

 the eyes; by the carcase being pretty well formed; 

 and by the excellence of the mutton. Weight per 

 quarter from 10 pounds to 18 pounds. Wool fine 

 and short, the lean poor-fed sheep producing the 

 finest. It is the true breed of this sort of sheep 

 which is properly denominated Ryelands. In the 

 Agricultural Report of that district, they are said, 

 in symmetry of shape, and the flavour of the meat, 

 to be superior to most flocks in the country. They 

 lamb in February and March. It is a breed which, 

 Mr. Knight says, is found to be remarkably easy in 

 respect to food, but which in its management, re- 

 quires cotting in the winter season, and being fed 

 with hay or peas-haulm. 



31. The Dorsetshire Breed. 



This breed is known by having the face, nose, and 

 legs white, head rather long, but broad, and the 

 forehead woolly, as in the Spanish and Ryeland 

 sorts ; the horn round and bold, middle-sized, and 

 standing from the head ; the shoulders broad at top, 

 but lower than the hinder quarters, the back tole- 

 rably straight ; carcase deep, and loins broad ; legs 

 not long, nor very fine in the bone. Weight per 

 quarter in Wedders, at three years and a half old, 

 from 16 pounds to 20 pounds. Mr. Billingsley says, 

 that the wool is fine and short. It is a breed which 

 has the peculiar property of producing lambs at any 

 period of the season, even so early as September and 

 October, so as to suit the purposes of the lamb- 

 suckler. 



