THE WILTSHIRE SHEEP. 385 



light, except when the shepherd suckles them upon 

 the Ewes. The Ewes are kept in an inclosure con- 

 tiguous to the lamb apartment; and, at proper 

 times, the Lambs are brought out to them for the 

 purpose of being fed. During this, their lodgings 

 are made perfectly clean, and littered with fresh 

 straw; since a great part of their value depends 

 upon the cleanliness in which they are kept. The 

 mutton of this breed is fine grained, and well 

 flavoured. It is considered to be of an excellent 

 medium betwixt the delicate mutton of the Welsh 

 and Scottish hills, and the rich and juicy meat of 

 the lowland Sheep. 



The Dorsetshire Sheep have, of late years, been 

 successfully introduced into several counties of the 

 north of England; and, at the present day, the cities 

 of York and Durham, and the towns of Newcastle 

 and Edinburgh, are nearly as well supplied with 

 Christmas house-lamb, as any parts .of the south. 



THE WILTSHIRE SHEEP 



Are, in many respects, nearly allied to the Dor- 

 setshire breed. They have long white faces and 

 legs. Their horns lie backward, almost close to 

 the neck, and encircle the ears. The wool is short 

 and close, but by no means fine; and there is very 

 D d little 



