SHEEP BREEDING IN IRELAND. 365 



fine its attention to this breed. For generations, and even centuries, no 

 other sheep have been bred in several districts in the county. In 1895, 

 breeders of Roscommon sheep formed themselves into an association called 

 " The Roscommon Sheep Breeders' Association," with the object of main- 

 taining the purity of the breed, and for the promotion of its interests 

 generally. They adopted a thorough system of registration and marking. 

 All sheep entered in the Flock Book must be registered and marked with 

 the shamrock perforated in the right ear, which is a trustworthy guarantee 

 of purity. Fixity of type is the key to success in pedigreed stock-breeding, 

 and the establishment of a Flock Book has done much in fixing the type of 

 the Roscommons in every flock, and has enhanced the value of the breed 

 far beyond its native county. 



It is held by some authorities that the present breed of Roscommons is 

 the result of crossings of the native Irish sheep with English blood — 



^^ 



Roscommon Ewe. 



notably the Leicesters. In 1776, Arthur Young visited Strokestown, and 

 in describing his visit there, says : — Mr. Mahon's breed, both cattle and 

 sheep, are improved by a bull and a tup, which he bought from Mr. Bake- 

 well, and has bred from them with great success." Later on Youatt 

 says : — " They (i.e., the Roscommon farmers) bred from this valuable selec- 

 tion, and were soon acknowledged to be in possession of a flock of 

 sheep not inferior to that of the most successful English breeder." The 

 first effect of the Leicester cross was a marked decrease of size in the pro- 

 geny, but this was more than counterbalanced by the enhanced quality, 

 better general conformation, and more early maturing properties which the 

 combination of blood produced. 



