232 rn KVIOT 



clothed the hillsides. Nothing was done towards their im- 

 provement until about 175G, when some border farmers, among 

 whom were Mr. James Robson, Mr. John Edmistown, and 

 Mr. Charles Kerr, went to Lincolnshire and procured rams 

 with which they set to work to improve their Cheviot flocks. 

 It is asserted on good authority that the rams they purchased 

 were Bakewell's Leicesters, that were at that time in a state 

 of transition. Whatever these sheep were, they effected a 

 most desirable change in the character of the Cheviots, giving 

 to them a correctness of symmetry and form which they had 

 not heretofore possessed, without impairing their hardiness. 



The Cheviots belong to the middle, fine wooled class. Their 

 wool has long been noted because of its superior quality. The 

 Scottish Border is famous for its Cheviot cloth manufactured 

 from the wool of its noted breed. The fleece at one time 

 was somewhat open and uneven. The breeders have done 

 much to improve upon these characters, though even yet the 

 fleece is of an open character. The fleece of the ram averages 

 about 9% pounds, while that of the ewe goes about iy 2 pounds. 



In size they are about medium and carry compactly built 

 mutton forms. They are, however, devoid of the covering 

 of adipose fat so characteristic of some of the mutton breeds. 

 Their carcasses rank in first place with the Blackfaces in 

 supplying saddles and legs-of-mutton of the highest quality 

 that tickle the palates of the most fastidious. The ewes make 

 good mothers. In many flocks they have given an increase 

 of 150 per cent., and, being good milkers, they feed their 

 lambs welh 



The. outdoor life to which the Cheviots have been subjected 

 has given to them a hardiness for withstanding exposure and 

 hardship equaled by none except the Blackfaces. 



The Cheviots multiplied very fast and, because of their 

 utility both as wool and mutton producers, became exceed- 

 ingly popular, and from 1800 to I860 succeeded in driving the 

 Blackfaces from many of their native hills, forcing them to 

 retire to the bleak heathery hills of Ayrshire, Lanarkshire, 

 Peebleshire, and RoxborOugh. The Cheviots at length were 

 possessors of nearly all the grassy slopes of Scotland. How- 

 ever, the severe winters from I860 to 1870 proved a trying 

 time on the Cheviots and forced them to retire a bit, allow- 

 ing the hardy Blackfaces to peacefully occupy their old haunts 

 and feeding grounds. 



