332 THE SHEEP OF GREAT BRITAIN. 



like those of Mr. Webb, were of a different type to the Sussex 

 Downs, from which thej originally sprang — so potent are the 

 influences of physical conditions. The great characteristic was 

 length and spread, the fore quarter resembling Bakewell's 

 Leicester rather than the active Down sheep. Great weight was 

 thus acquired, although not so valuable for the butcher; the 

 quality and ripeness evinced the tendency to feed and the care 

 bestowed. It would be tedious to recount the successes of this 

 flock, which for some years had it very much their own way, not- 

 withstanding which, and much to their credit, the Sussex breeders 

 struggled on, and gamely came to the shows with undiminished 

 ardour, rendering their class one of the most attractive features 

 of the London fat show. The Sussex breeders disapproved of 

 the type of the Merton sheep, and on one occasion it will be 

 remembered that Mr. Ellmann, the son of the great flock- 

 master, protested against the decision of his colleagues. Be 

 this as it may, the Merton sheep were splendid examples of the 

 perfection to which animals may be brought by care and 

 judgment ; and the rams were eagerly sought for by foreigners.* 



Our notice of distinguished breeders, brief as it necessarily is, 

 would be unpardonably deficient were we to omit the name of 

 the late Mr. Rigdon, of Hove, Brighton, who had cultivated and 

 l^rought to great perfection the original Sussex Down, and had, 

 in his late years especially, achieved well-deserved honours. 

 His rams, both at Cardiff and Wolverhampton, were splendid 

 specimens, models in form, and of rare type and quality. He 

 was also first for shearlings at Islington both in 1871 and 1872, 

 and took first rank as a breeder. His annual ram sale 

 attracted many customers, and the sheep were let at high prices. 



The Southdowns took such a decided lead among shortwool 

 sheep, that their influence was souglit as the first step in the 

 improvement of other breeds. The Wilts and Hampshire Downs, 

 however little indebted originally, owe much of their present 

 quality and truth of form to Southdown influence. The 

 improved Hampshires, which now predominate, have Southdown 

 blood in their veins. The Shropshires, which are probably 

 more cultivated than any other description of sheep, have 



* A few years since the flock was dispersed, large prices being obtained, 

 and since no sheep have been exhibited. 



