SOUTHDOWN SHEEP. 333 



benefited bj the infusion of Southdown, whatever may have 

 been the effect of the other crosses that have been tried. As a 

 cross with the Leicester or Lincoln, the produce is most 

 valuable for feeding purposes. Mr. Overman has repeatedly 

 taken first honours at Smithfield, with animals so bred. Like 

 the Leicesters, the chief value of the Southdown has been in its 

 crosses. As a pure breed we lack weight for food consumed, 

 although what we have is of the best. They, doubtless, are 

 well adapted to the spare sweet herbage of the downs ; their 

 light weights and active habits enable them to pick up a living 

 where the longwools would starve. On rich lowlands they are 

 not much cultivated, being superseded by their crosses and 

 animals like the Oxfords, which combine weight with quality. 

 The present Mr. Ellmann gives his opinion that the improved 

 Lincoln, derived from a combination of Leicester, affords the 

 most valuable cross with the Southdown. 



Although we have quoted from early writers on the subject, 

 we have not yet attempted to frame for ourselves a description 

 of the Southdown, and we approach the subject with dread. 

 The Sussex Down is noticeable for the light shade of feature, 

 profusion of wool on forehead and on sides of face, short head, 

 flat forehead, large full projecting eye, fine nose and muzzle, 

 short neck, level contour, great leg of mutton, barrel-shaped 

 carcass, level underlines, fine bone, and fine close wool. The 

 Southdown as cultivated in Norfolk or Berkshire is a larger 

 animal, with darker and larger features, and more substance 

 of fore quarter ; the shoulders are generally well laid, and the 

 width of bosom and thickness through is very noticeable. 



We collect some particulars as to Sussex management fi'om 

 Mr. Ellmann' s lecture before the Eoyal Agricultural Society, 

 delivered March 22, 1865. One great point to be kept 

 prominently in view by the flockmaster is that the Downs must 

 be close fed, otherwise the herbage becomes coarse, and the 

 quality of the grass depends entirely upon its being kept short. 

 In summer the sheep are kept upon the downs with the aid of a 

 fold of tares or rape, the rape being sown at intervals, beginning 

 from the 1st of May. For weaning purposes vetches and rape 

 are preferred, seeds being considered " doubtful " food. The 

 wether lambs are often sold at Lewes fair, being prepared for 



