THE DEVON LONGWOOLS. 319 



&c., always aiming to get the biggest and heaviest-fleeced rams 

 procurable, if well shaped. By such means, Mr. Radmore was 

 able to produce sheep of high quality, combined with great 

 bulk of frame and profitable flesh and wool production. Heavy 

 fleeces formed a special characteristic, as their average, taking 

 the entire flock, amounted to 121b. each. 



Whatever hmits may hereafter be drawn as to the true 

 characteristics of the Devon Longwools, and what sheep ought 

 to be included in that denomination, the generality of breeders 

 have long ceased to draw anew from pure Leicester blood 

 for the improvement of their flocks, which they deem to be far 

 better effected by resorting to the best tups of the breed itself, 

 now so highly perfected, of which truly splendid specimens are 

 brought out at the autumnal fairs and markets, more handsome 

 in appearance and of greater intrinsic excellence every succeed- 

 ing year. Mr. R. Comer declared that he was never able 

 to do better than by working the best of his own rams, which 

 he had been in the habit of doing for many years prior to the 

 disposal of his flock. There is now much less difiiculty for 

 the leading flockmasters to get change of blood from Devon 

 Longwool flocks, which have been closely assimilated to the type 

 of their own. 



A great demand is made for these sheep by graziers who 

 occupy the Somerset marshes, on which they have been found 

 to thrive far better than any other kind. Col. Luttrell, of 

 Bagworth Court, in 1863 published the following statement : 

 " When I first came to reside amongst the rich marsh lands of 

 Somersetshire, I was surprised to see so few black-faced sheep ; 

 and on making inquiries, was told that the Down sheep did not 

 pay for grazing on rich pasture lands, and that it was difiicult 

 to get them fit for the market without the aid of corn. Being 

 rather sceptical on this point, in the spring of 1861 I bought 

 300 two-toothed sheep, of which 100 were Hampshire Down 

 and 200 Devon-Notts. 1 picked out thirty of the best Downs 

 to take the first run of the pasture, with sixty of the best 

 Devons. All the Devons became fit for market during the 

 summer, and were sold ; the Downs showed but little improve- 

 ment. On October 28th I put thirty Downs with thirty of the 

 next best Devons on a piece of after grass. At this time I had 



