LECTURE LVI, 



SOUTHDOWNS. 



Points to Be Observed in the Judging and Selection 

 of the Same. 



The Southdown is a low down, smooth, compact, sym- 

 metrical little sheep, and may be looked upon as the ideal 

 mutton form. The head is ehort and broad with clearly de- 

 fined lineaments. The face of the ewe is slightly dished, 

 \vhiile that of the ram is fuller with slightly Roman nose. The 

 forehead and cheeks are wooled, but wool does not meet 

 below the eyes. The face, ears and legs are some shade of 

 brown bordering on a grayish fawn. The eyes should be 

 bright and full, but not prominent as is the case with the 

 Leicester. The ears are short, small and pointed. The neck 

 is short, thick, straight, and smoothly blended with shoulder. 

 The chest should be deep, broad and full and let down be- 

 tween the short, strong, straight, clean-boned front legs. A 

 strong, straight, broad back, loin and rump are characteristic 

 of the Southdown. Look also for a well sprung fore rib and 

 well filled chine. The twist is low down and full. The fleece 

 is not noted for its length. It is known as a short combing 

 wool. It is dense and elastic to the touch and should cover 

 the whole body and legs down to knees and hocks. It should 

 be uniform in quality and length in all parts. 



Scale of Points as Adopted by American Southdown 

 Breeders' Association. 



Counts. 



Head. Medium in size and hornless, fine, carried well up, 

 forehead or face well covered with wool, especially be- 

 tween the ears and on the cheeks, and in the ewe slightly 



dished 5 



Lips and Under Jaw. Fine and thin 1 



202 



