580 BREEDS OF LOWLAND LONG-WOOL SHEEP 



wool was nicely curled and of good quality, and the head 

 and ears white, with black spots." 



It is not definitely known to what extent and at what 

 time before 1839 improved Leicester rams were used to 

 change the original Teeswater sheep into the one just 

 described. But a very famous ram, Richard Outhwaite's 

 " Bluecap," a half-bred Leicester, born in that year, exercised 

 a most important and far-reaching influence on the breed. 

 He was sired by "an elder Bluecap, bred by the famous 

 Leicester breeder Sonley, of Lund Court, near Kirby Moor- 

 side " a " very big Leicester " which cost 40 guineas for 

 one year's service, put to ewes that had for several years 

 been bred from " a very grand Teeswater tup." Outhwaite's 

 " Bluecap " " had a very dark blue head, and his skin was 

 nearly black, although covered with fine, white, lustrous wool." 



The practice of letting rams for the season led to the whole- 

 sale distribution of " Bluecap's " blood through his numerous 

 three-parts-bred sons, who seemed to have nicked remarkably 

 well with the ewes of the leading breeders of the time, a 

 result clearly attributable to the previous judicious introduc- 

 tion of Dishley-Leicester blood. Under the influence of 

 this cross the " sheep began to be stronger in the fore-rib, 

 shoulder, and neck " ; and " a race of sheep was produced 

 combining the hardiness, activity, and lean flesh of the 

 Teeswater with the symmetry and early maturity of the 

 improved Leicester." By 1860 the leading flocks had 

 assumed a uniform type. 



The special properties claimed for the improved breed 

 are : " That they are good breeders, excellent mothers, good 

 feeders, have a good leg of mutton, and a class of wool that 

 makes a higher price than any other Leicester wool. The ewes 

 frequently produce 70 to 80 per cent, of twins." It has been 

 asserted " that with the rise in the value of wool and mutton 

 about the time of the American Civil War, an attempt was 

 made by a class of breeders to increase the weight of the 

 fleece and carcase to meet the wants of the times, and for 

 this purpose Lincoln rams were resorted to." This cross 

 has not tended to establish uniformity and elevate the 

 average of quality, but, as breeders naturally aim at what 

 best suits the market, any objectionable features thus intro- 

 duced will in course of time drop out and disappear. 



