THE TEES-WATER SHEEP. 373 



As the present Sheep are not held in much 

 esteem, either for their wool or mutton, although 

 the latter is, in every respect, better than that of 

 the Lincolnshire Sheep, they are rarely to be found 

 purej except in the possession of some of the old 

 breeders. There are now very few flocks that have 

 not been crossed, more or less, with the Dishley 

 blood, by which they have been essentially im- 

 proved. 



The weight of the two-years old wethers, of the 

 Tees-Water Sheep, is from twenty-five to thirty- 

 five pounds per quarter; and the four quarters of 

 a four-years old wether, have been known to weigh 

 nearly two hundred and fifty pounds. The fleece 

 is generally about nine pounds in weight; and the 

 the value of the wool, at an average, about a shilling 

 a pound. 



These Sheep are not adapted to live in numerous 

 flocks, or upon bare pastures. They require to be 

 kept on good ground, to be depastured in small 

 parcels, and td have great indulgence in the winter. 

 The Ewes are very productive, frequently bringing 

 two, and sometimes three, Lambs at a birth. In- 

 stances have occurred of their producing four, and 

 even five. Mr. Eddison had a Ewe which yeaned 

 sixteen Lambs in four years, and of these the first 

 nine were lambed within eleven months. 



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