416 THE SHEEP OP GREAT BRITAIN. 



uow weigh, when fat, from 141b. to 151b. per quarter. The ewes, 

 sold at about four years old, weigh, when fat, 131b. or 141b. per 

 quarter. The wool is of good quality, and the fleece weighs 

 from 41b. to 51b., which must be considered a fair amount in 

 proportion to the size of animal. Indeed, the old British sheep 

 could not have been very short of wool, for Howel Dda in the 

 tenth century, in appraising the qualities (teithi) of a cow, says : 

 " The worth of her teat is fourpence every year that she lives, 

 or a white sheep with a white lamb that can with her fleece 

 protect her lamb between her four feet from a May shower." 



The Radnor s are found on the hills of Brecon, Montgomery, 

 and some parts of Merioneth, as well as in the county from 

 which they take their distinctive name. The fairs held at 

 Kington, Knighton, and Builth, are perhaps the most celebrated 

 places where they are offered for sale. The ewes are sold in 

 large numbers to graziers. A great many go into the adjoining 

 counties in England to breed fat lambs by crossing with 

 Shropshires, Leicesters, or Cotswolds. The ewes are prolific, 

 excellent nurses, and produce good lambs when crossed with 

 larger improved breeds, and they feed quickly after their 

 progeny has been disposed of. Having these good qualities, it 

 is not to be wondered at that they are in considerable repute for 

 the special purposes to which they are adapted when brought 

 on the more fertile pastures of the English grazier. 



A great part of Radnor is hilly uninclosed land and common. 

 In 1849 it was stated that nearly two-thirds of the county was 

 uninclosed. A considerable area of land has since that time 

 been brought under cultivation, and the hill sides encroached 

 upon, although not to any very considerable extent. The 

 suitabihty of the Radnor sheep to the uninclosed districts in 

 which they are reared may be readily assumed from the pre- 

 ceding remarks. They do well during the summer months on 

 the mountains. The young sheep and ewes are usually brought 

 into the inclosed pastures during severe weather in winter. The 

 aged wethers, however, are generally left to take care of them- 

 selves in their natural habitat, though the winds blow and the 

 storms rave ever so wildly. 



The breed is only of local importance, and is not likely to 

 extend beyond its present limits. Nor is there any probability 



