422 THE SHEEP OF GREAT BRITAIN. 



in fact, some very dark coloured tups have been great prize 

 winners. 



As to the wool, which is of a short staple, it is as inferior to 

 that of most low country sheep as the mutton is superior ; but it 

 has improved a great deal of late years, and, though still greyish,, 

 is nearly free from those " kemps " or grey hairs that used to 

 disfigure it. It varies in price, according to markets, but is- 

 always rather above the wool of the horned black-faces. 



" Sickness " and the fly are the chief occasions of loss to the 

 flockmaster. The former, which resembles black quarter in 

 calves, principally attacks the hogs in autumn and winter ; but 

 some fells have an evil reputation for it, and on these the 

 farmer must lay his account with a considerable annual loss of 

 sheep of all ages, and at all times of the year. The only remedy 

 or rather prevention seems to be change of pasture, and when, 

 as is usual, the hogs are wintered out, the nearer the sea 

 they are the less risk of their sickness. The nuisance of the 

 fly varies very much in different localities, but it abounds on 

 some fells from June till September ; and as the sheep on 

 being struck generally seek some cover, such as underwood or 

 deep beds of bracken, it may easily be imagined that on such 

 extensive ranges many are never found till the horrible death of 

 being eaten alive by maggots has overtaken them. Dipping 

 and diligent shepherding will, however, do a good deal. Foot 

 rot is almost unknown, and scab, under more judicious treat- 

 ment, has ceased to be the terror it was — in fact any serious- 

 loss from this cause may safely be set down to neglect. Sturdy 

 also claims a certain number of victims, but not many. 



The ordinary routine of a fell farm is as follows : Early in 

 October all the sheep are gathered, and either salved accord- 

 ing to the old-fashioned plan, or else dipped, with grease dis- 

 solved in the dipping, according to the new and improved plan ; 

 the hogs are then sent off to their winter quarters, and the old 

 and broken-mouthed ewes drafted and sold to some low-country 

 farmer — the price varying from 15s. to 25s. — who, after taking 

 one or two crops of lambs by a Leicester or Down tup, feeds 

 them off readily enough on seeds. The rest of the stock then 

 go back to the fell till towards the end of November, when 

 all the ewes are gathered, and the shearling or " twinter " 



i 



