CHAPTER XIV 

 LESSER KNOWN BREEDS OF SHEEP 



470. There are a great many little-known (in America) 

 breeds of sheep that are worthy of mention, as some of 

 them have met special needs in special regions, and have 

 qualities to recommend them. There are still others, 

 such as the Welsh Mountain, the Lonk and the Shetland, 

 that are of so little interest to farmers in America, that 

 they may safely be ignored. 



471. Barbados or " Woolless " sheep (Fig. 77). 

 By E. L. Shaw. Representatives of this breed of sheep 

 were imported by the United States Department of Agri- 

 culture from the island of Barbados, West Indies, in 1904. 

 It is thought to be of African origin. It is hardy and very 

 prolific. The ewes breed at any season of the year, and 

 produce one to five lambs at a time. The young lambs 

 are very attractive. The breed is of medium size and has 

 somewhat of a deer-like appearance. The color varies 

 from a light fawn to a dark brown. The under part of 

 the body and the legs are very dark in color, almost black. 

 The ewes are hornless and the rams are usually so, but 

 in some cases the rams have small horns curving back- 

 ward and downward. The rump is steep, the tail set 

 low, reaching the hocks. The breed is practically without 

 wool, the body being covered with coarse hair. The 

 small quantity of wool is of very fine fiber. The hair has 

 a decided crimp. The rams have a very decided beard, 



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