360 THE CHEVIOT SHEEP. 



The Ewes generally produce their offspring about 

 the beginning of May; and the Lambs, when 

 dropped, are well clad with wool. The former are 

 kept as long as they will breed, and are frequently 

 from ten to fifteen years of age, when sold. The 

 wethers, which are usually killed at the age of four 

 years and a half, are allowed no other pasture for 

 fatting them than their native mountains. 



THE CHEVIOT SHEEP 



Are hornless; have usually white faces and legs; 

 and fine, short wool. Their eyes are prominent 

 and lively, and their countenance open and ani- 

 mated. Their body is long, and their legs fine, 

 clean, and small-boned. In their fleece, which 

 usually weighs about three pounds, there are two 

 pounds of fine wool, and about one of coarse. 

 The weight of the carcass, per quarter, when fat, is 

 from twelve to eighteen pounds. 



The country in which the Cheviot Sheep are 

 principally found, is the hilly district of the north- 

 west part of Northumberland; and they do not 

 extend much farther south than Reedwater. They 

 are bred on all the hills around Cheviot, from 

 which they have their name; but on that barren 

 mountain itself there are no Sheep whatever. 



This is an highly excellent mountain breed, the 



wool 



