160 THE COTSWOLD 



wool. In western United States, Cots wold blood has been intro- 

 duced into many pure Merino flocks for the purpose of improving 

 the mutton properties without sacrificing much, if any, in the value 

 of the wool product. About 1860 to 1870 Cotswold rams were 

 used rather extensively in England for crossing with the Down 

 breeds, but this custom has practically died out (Fig. 107). 



Distribution. The Cotswold is known in all of the important 

 sheep countries, but its distribution is less general than it was fifty 

 or more years ago. In England it is to be found chiefly in its 

 native hills, whereas a half century ago, there were many flocks in 

 outside regions. In the United States and Canada there is a 

 sprinkling of flocks. Breeders in Utah have demonstrated by the 

 superior sheep they have bred that the Rocky Mountain Region 

 affords locations second to none for the production of high-class 

 Cotswolds. 



The Cotswold Sheep Society of England was organized in 1892, 

 and the American Cotswold Sheep Association in 1878. 



QUESTIONS 



1. How far from the Cotswold Hills is Loughborough, where Bakewell lived? 



2. Give reasons for the disappearance of Cotswold flocks in the Middle 



West of the United States. T 



3. How would you distinguish a Cotswold from an English Leicester; a 



Border Leicester? 



4. Would pure or high-grade Cotswolds be suitable for producing early 



market lambs? 



