THE MUTTON BREEDS OF SHEEP 349 



of Teviotdale are we indebted for the first improvements 

 in the breed. The monks of Melrose had large flocks, 

 which were dispersed in the border fields. It was not till 

 about 1750 that the border farmer gave much attention 

 to the breed or accomplished anything in its improvement. 

 Cheviots were taken to Canada early in the nineteenth 

 century. In 1838, Robert Young, of Delhi, New York, 

 made an importation, followed four years later by other 

 importations to the same county. In 1845, they were 

 imported into Wisconsin by T. J. Carmichael. Subse- 

 quent importations have been made, but the breed did 

 not make much progress in America prior to 1880. 



419. Description. The Cheviot is of medium size, 

 hornless, face and legs white, the body closely covered 

 with wool of a soft fiber akin 



to the Down wools ; but un- 

 like the Downs, which are 

 always likely to have more 

 or less of a gray tinge to the 

 wool, the Cheviot gives a 

 pure white wool (Fig. 70). 

 The head is bold and broad, 



FIG. 70. Cheviot ram. 



and the fleece of snowy white- 

 ness comes close up, forming almost a ruff about the face. 

 The ribs are flatter than in either the Southdown or the 

 Highland. It is a very active, hardy animal, with a 

 bright eye and erect ears. Unfortunately it has a tend- 

 ency to scatter rather than flock together. 



420. Uses of Cheviot sheep. The Cheviot is remark- 

 ably hardy, and can live on very poor grazing ; but, never- 

 theless, it must have grass of some kind, and with it needs 

 little else. It yields a good class of well-marbled mutton, 

 that is not too fat and dresses a carcass of good weight. 



