102 



them in displacing- the black cattle in the Southern 

 Highlands of Scotland. At the present time next to the Border 

 districts the most important area for the Cheviot is the North of 

 Scotland Sutherland and Caithness. 



Many Cheviot ewes are sent, when about five years old, to 

 lowland grazings in both England and Scotland, to breed lambs 

 for the fat market or to fatten into tegs. The most important 

 cross is that with the Border Leicester giving the well-known Half- 

 bred (see p. 76;. Cheviot wether hoggets are in high favour with 

 butchers on account of the excellence of the quality of the mutton 

 and the great size of the gigot or " leg of mutton." 



Compared with most other Mountain breeds the Cheviot is 

 distinguished for its weight, comparatively early maturity and above 

 all for its quality of wool. 



Cheviot Classes at the Smitlifield Show, 1902-1911. 



/ WELSH MOUNTAIN. 



^ 



So far as is known a hardy race of Mountain sheep has always 

 existed on the highest Welsh hills. From time to time introductions 

 of other breeds notably Cheviot and Blackface have taken place, 

 but have been marked by no great success, and it is probably safe 

 to assume that the breed retains its original characteristics almost 

 unchanged, except so far as modifications have been made by 

 selection within the breed. On the low richer ground, ewes which 

 are crosses with larger, earlier maturing breeds such as Wiltshires, 

 and Leicesters, are found, but these are always regarded as crosses 

 and are not to be confused with the Mountain sheep. Other breeds, 

 such as Kerry Hill and Radnor, are Welsh in origin, but are 

 quite distinct from the Welsh Mountain, which is kept pure and 

 fairly uniform in type on practically all the higher mountains 

 throughout Wales, particularly in the north. 



Characteristics of the Breed. The Welsh are small, very hardy 

 sheep, with a rather long and narrow body somewhat light in the 

 fore-quarters, and short, fine, thick wool. Both pure white and slightly 

 tan faces and legs are common, but the latter colour is the more usual 

 and is preferred as an indication of hardiness. For the same reason 

 a little kemp in the wool is not objected to. Lambs at birth usually 

 have a well marked dirty yellow patch on the back of the neck, but 

 this disappears in a short time. 



