105 



prove prolific and good nurses on the better keep of the lower 

 ground. 



On Black Hall Farm, at the head of Duddon Valley in Cumber- 

 land, Herdwick ewes are from time to time found with 14 ribs on 

 each side, or 14 on one and 13 on the other, in place of the normal 

 number, 13 on each side. 



THE EXMOOR HORN OR PORLOCK. 



The Exmoor Horn or Porlock Sheep, one of the chief descend- 

 ants of the old Forest breeds, has existed from time immemorial 

 on the Exmoor and Brendon Hills in West Somerset and 

 North Devon. 



It is a hardy race, adapted to the poverty of the natural pasture. 

 The modern sheep has a black muzzle, white face and legs, taper- 

 ing horns, curving downwards and outwards ; close-set, long-stapled 

 fleece averaging 5 lb., Avith wool up to the cheeks, carcase peculiarly 

 rounded, broad loins, though with slack girth behind the 

 shoulders and a high neck, with a bold, active habit. 



The hill flocks are usually placed on the lower ground of the farm 

 to lamb, and get a few turnips and oats ; after summer grazing, they 

 come in from the hills in November to the poorest enclosed lands. 

 The ewes lamb first at two years old, and are good mothers. They 

 'are drafted, after three crops of lambs, to go down into the low 

 country. The Exmoor Horn Sheep Breeders' Society was formed 

 in 1906, to look after the interests of the breed at home and abroad, 

 and the first volume of the Flock Book was published in 1907. 



Exmoor Horn Classes at the Smithfield Shoiv, 1909-1911. 



THE DARTMOOR. 



The Dartmoor is the largest hill or moorland sheep in this 

 country. The size has increased, and the quality of wool has gone up 

 in recent years by careful breeding and selection, until at the 

 present time the breed has many of the characters of a Longwoolled 

 breed. 



The flocks winter on grass and a little hay ; only show sheep get 

 corn or roots. The ewes lamb about the end of February or 

 beginning of March, but few breeders attempt to rear fat lambs, 

 though cast ewes go to small farms favourably situated, and, being 

 excellent milkers, produce fine fat lambs by Down or South Devon 

 rams, while fattening themselves for the butcher. Fat wethers go 

 off at 1| and 2 years old, weighing 20 to 24 lb. per quarter. 



