228 DORSET HORN SHEEP. 



The first improvement effected in this breed was done in 

 west Dorset by a Mr. Richard Seymour, who had the best 

 flock of Dorsets from 1820 to 1840. Following him were 

 Mathew Paull, Compton Pauncefoot, John Pope, John Pitt- 

 field, Davys, Wm. Way, and Thomas Chick. These men 

 worked patiently for the breed in their day, and their work 

 was continued by their sons and successors as well as by 

 Messrs. Mayo, Farthing, John and Samuel Kidner, and Culver- 

 well, in the county of Somerset, all of whom deserve credit 

 for bringing the breed before the public. 



The method employed in improvement was not that of in- 

 troducing foreign blood, as has been practiced with some other 

 breeds. The Dorsets have been kept pure, the system fol- 

 lowed by their improvers being that of careful selection and 

 mating, and improved food and change of environments. 



They now hold an impregnable position in their native 

 counties. In recent years they have been sent to Ireland and 

 Scotland as well as to Canada and the United States, where 

 in both the latter countries they are becoming widely dis- 

 tributed. The Eastern States seem to have a monopoly of 

 these sheep at the present time. Their popularity is increas- 

 ing, however, in the West, where it is claimed they give 

 excellent results in crossing on Merino ewes. Dorset ewes 

 being good mothers, give good returns when crossed with 

 Shropshire rams. 



The Dorset of today is a long bodied, rather rangy sheep, 

 quite symmetrical in form. The breeders are seeking to give 

 him the low down form and character of the mutton sheep, 

 and are endeavoring to clothe him with that evenness of 

 covering characteristic of some of the more pronounced mut- 

 ton breeds. Dorsets are, as has been stated, a little larger 

 than the Southdowns. The ram in good breeding condition 

 should weigh on an average of 215 pounds, while the ewes 

 average 1G5 pounds. 



Matured sheep shear from G to 8 pounds of fine wool, which 

 finds a ready market. Lambs at 6 months give 2y 2 to 3 

 pounds wool, which is much in demand. 



At the present time there are two associations in the United 

 States championing the cause of the Dorset the American 

 Dorset Horn Association, established in 1891, and the Amer- 

 ican Continental Dorset Club, established in 1897. 



