79 



The breed is an extremely old one, and though, like every other 

 Longwool, it is doubtless indebted to the Leicester, yet to a greater 

 extent improvement has been effected by selection within the breed 

 thus retaining the characteristic hardiness while securing symmetry] 

 early maturity, and improved quality of wool. 



During the thirties and early forties of the nineteenth century, 

 grazing contests, which created widespread interest, were held 

 throughout the Romney Marsh area under the management of 

 local committees. Certain grazing lands were selected, and the 

 sheep entered for competition were removed from the control of 

 their owners and placed under the supervision of judges who 

 decided, from the results of the test, which were the most useful 

 sheep. The sheep were kept and shepherded under natural 

 conditions, no artificial food or fodder being supplied. 



Characteristics of the Breed. Romney Marsh sheep are white- 

 faced and white-legged, with an exceptionally close coat of good wool 

 of a demi-lustre type. The head should be wide and level between 

 the ears, with no horns or dark hairs on the poll, which should be 

 covered with wool. The nose in all cases should be black and broad. 



One of the most valuable and distinctive features of the breed is 

 its resistance to diseases commonly affecting sheep ; foot-rot and 

 liver-rot seldom trouble it, and, unlike some Down breeds which 

 tend to keep in dense flocks, the sheep graze and lie singly, thus 

 to a certain extent avoiding tainting of their pasture. 



Romney Marsh sheep are essentially graziers' sheep and are kept 

 all the year round under natural conditions and normally fattened on 

 grass alone. Compared with that of most Longwools the mutton is 

 of good quality and free from excess of fat. Lambing takes place 

 in the open, usually about March and April, and very rarely is any 

 artificial food or shelter given. 



Romney Marsh Sheep Abroad. -The breed is now found in most 

 parts of the World. In New Zealand it is specially in favour on 

 account of its hardiness and freedom from disease. In South 

 America, particularly Chile, Patagonia, and the Falkland Isles, 

 there is an increasing demand for the rarns, and satisfactory reports 

 have been received as to the suitability of the breed for North 

 America, South Africa and other countries. 



Flock Book. The Kent or Romney Marsh Sheep Breeders' 

 Association was formed in 1895 and stringent regulations were laid 

 down regarding the admission of sheep or flocks into the Flock 

 Book. At the beginning of 1912 there were 164 members of the 

 Flock Book Society and 132 registered flocks. 



Kent or Romney Marsh Classes at the Smithjield Shotv, 1902-1911, 



