JUDGING LIVE STOCK. 



For many years the Royal Agricultural Society of Eng- 

 land refused a separate class to the improved Lincolns. Not 

 until in 18G2, at Battersia, did they receive recognition as a 

 distinct breed, but had to be shown as "Lincolns and other 

 Long-Wools." Between 18G2 and 1870 the majority of prizes 

 in the long-wool classes were carried off by Lincolns. Among 

 the most successful exhibitors being Marshall, Budding, 

 Wright, and Cartwright. At Oxford and Wolverhampton they 

 were again shown on their own merits. Here they exhibited 

 such excellence that the judges commended the whole class. 



Along about 1850 the breed became popular through the 

 exhibitions made at the Royal and other shows. In 18G4 and 

 18G5, when wool became high priced, there was a great de- 

 mand for Lincolns to go to Australia, New Zealand, and South 

 Africa, for the purpose of making a desirable cross on the 

 native ewes. Chief among those connected with this foreign 

 trade were Messrs. Marshall and Budding. After the death of 

 Mr. T. B. Marshall the trade was continued by his son, W. 

 F. Marshall, the owner of the Branston flock. 



The improved Lincolns spread over their own and a number 

 of adjoining counties. They also went to parts of Scotland 

 and Ireland. 



The first importations to the United States were made in 

 1836 by Mr. Leonard E. Cleft of Carmel, N. Y. They have 

 increased since that time until now they are distributed in 

 many of the middle and northern states and throughout many 

 parts of Canada. In America the Lincoln breeders have been 

 slow in organizing-, and not until 1891 was the American 

 Lincoln Sheep Breeders' Association formed to look after the 

 rights of the breed. 



The Lincoln sheep are strong, hardy, and fairly prolific. 

 They are early maturing, when well supplied with good food, 

 and when full grov/n excel all other breeds in weight of car- 

 cass and length of wool staple. 



Rams, in good flesh, weight from 275 pounds to 300 pounds, 

 while ewes in like condition average 225 to 250 pounds. 



It must be remembered that Lincolns, like other breeds, 

 are adapted to localities similar to those in which they have 

 been developed as a breed, and that under such conditions 

 will they give the most satisfactory results. 



The fleece is large, averaging about 12 to 15 pounds of 

 unwashed wool. 



