296 THE SHEEP OP GREAT BRITAIN. 



beyond certain limits, and not an ounce of muscular or physical 

 energy is wasted. They are said to be " sib " bred ; be it so. 

 The student of animal physiology knows well it is the way to 

 gain symmetry of form ; and, so long as they keep up fair size 

 and robust constitution along with it, we hold it to be the grand 

 secret of their excellence — the accumulation of one blood, and 

 that blood the purest, enabling them to make their mark 

 wherever they are used, which is as palpable to the eye of a 

 judge as the cross with a sheep of a totally different breed. 



Since the above remarks were published, the Mertoun rams 

 have had a hard struggle to maintain their supremacy at the 

 Kelso annual ram sales, being closely pressed by the lots of 

 Messrs. Clark, Old Hamstocks ; Mr. Thompson, Baillieknow ; 

 Mr. Jack, Crichton Mains ; Mr. Sampson, Courthill ; Messrs. 

 Bain, Legars, and others of scarcely less note, all of which, on 

 analysis, are found to contain a large preponderance of Mertoun 

 blood. In 1885 Messrs Clark's lot attained the highest average, 

 while in 1886 the Mertoun lot once more gained its old position, 

 but only by a mere fraction. Still, an infusion of Mertoun 

 blood is almost universally resorted to, as an antidote to anything 

 spurious being introduced into a flock, and is, in fact, in Border 

 Leicesters what Bates' blood is in Shorthorns. 



The custom of over-feeding tups so prevalent in the Border 

 counties, although somewhat mitigated, is still the rule, not the 

 exception. It is a great waste in many ways. Sheep so fed 

 cannot be so active under any circumstances, and when taken, 

 as they generally are, to a poorer soil and less genial climate, 

 with the extra feeding entirely suspended, often succumb 

 altogether under such barbarous treatment ; at all events, their 

 vital powers are weakened, and, instead of lasting two or three 

 years, they get worn out in one or two. If ewes require to be in 

 an improving condition during conception, why should the sire 

 be in a declining one ? and is he likely in such circumstances to 

 impart a healthy constitution to his progeny ? We hope to see 

 the general adoption of a more natural and healthy system. 



