THE MUTTON BREEDS OF SHEEP 333 



mountain ewes for the production of mutton lambs. 

 Pure-breds are also in favor for production of lambs to be 

 sold at weaning time. The rams bred to Merino ewes 

 produce highly satisfactory lambs for feeding off at eight 

 to ten months of age. They produce a high quality of 

 mature mutton, as they do not develop fat in bunches. 

 The ewes are not suited for growing winter lambs, as they 

 will not breed at the right season, but the rams are very 

 satisfactory for siring such lambs. The lambs are good 

 feeders and mature rapidly. Single lambs are the rule, 

 but a flock of ewes usually produces 125 per cent of lambs. 

 Southdowns have rarely been known to produce triplets. 

 The Southdown has the shortest and finest wool of any 

 of the Down or middle-wool breeds. The attempt has 

 been to develop a fleece with a compact, smooth surface, 

 that is, without spiral tips on the locks of wool. The 

 average weight of the fleece for ewes is about six pounds, 

 and for rams about eight pounds. The wool grades as 

 one-half and three-eighths. 



380. Distribution. The general adaptability and good 

 grazing qualities of the Southdown, together with its 

 superior mutton, have led to its wide dissemination. In 

 America it has been especially popular in the Central-East 

 and South, although it is found in practically every state 

 and territory in the Union and in Canada. In South 

 America it is found in Argentina, Chile and other countries. 

 It has been introduced throughout Europe, Asia, Japan, 

 Africa and Australia. 



381. Organization and records. English and Ameri- 

 can record associations were organized in 1882. The 

 Southdown Sheep Society has headquarters in London; 

 the American Southdown Breeders' Association, with 

 headquarters at Springfield, Illinois, has issued fourteen 



