LESSER KNOWN BREEDS OF SHEEP 385 



475. Romney Marsh sheep. By John A. Craig. 

 This breed takes its name from the district known as 

 Romney Marsh in the counties of Kent and Sussex, in 

 the south of England, which has led also to its being spoken 

 of as the Kent breed. 



The Romney Marsh (Plate XII) may be said to be one 

 of the largest of the lowland breeds, being surpassed in 

 weight only by the Lincoln. It has a broad, white face, 

 and most frequently a tuft of wool on the forehead. It 

 does not have horns. The native or original stock of the 

 breed was large and coarse, but it is likely that the in- 

 fusions of Leicester and Lincoln blood added both to its 

 weight and improvement of appearance. The type is long 

 and low, with comparatively thick legs and feet, and a 

 strong-boned frame. The wool is long, comparatively 

 fine, and the weight of the fleece from six and one-half 

 pounds upward. 



The special utility of the breed is its adaptability to 

 low-lying lands which produce luxuriant feed, and will 

 stand heavy stocking. The Romney Marsh may be run 

 more thickly on such ground than any other breed, and 

 continue thrifty. Under such conditions, it attains a 

 large size and heavy weight, and the records of Smith- 

 field and other British shows bear out the statement that 

 it is rarely surpassed in the latter by any breed excepting 

 the Lincoln. 



476. Ryeland sheep (Fig. 79). By W. L. Carlyle. 

 The Ryeland breed of sheep originated many years ago 

 in the midland counties of England. Its name comes 

 from the Ryelands of Hereford, a poor upland district. 

 The breed originated by crossing Southdown and Leices- 

 ter rams on the old Morfe Common type of sheep, from 

 which the Shropshire breed originated. In its blood 



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