CLUN FOREST SHEEP. IOI 



faces was an increase both in wool and weight of carcase 

 but it was not persisted in, as the wool became coarse, 

 and the mutton rather yellow. The Cheviot cross increased 

 the weight of both fleece and carcase, but produced a sheep 

 too heavy for the mountain grazings. It was also found that 

 the mutton tended to become light in colour. No pure Welsh 

 leg of mutton should exceed 4! Ibs. weight, and larger ones 

 are doubtful in their origin. In 1885 we find the same pre- 

 judice and the same verdict. Mr. Little, who has been 

 previously quoted as an authority on Glamorganshire sheep, 

 wrote at that date as follows : " I have myself been trying to 

 improve the native mountain sheep for the last twelve years, 

 but I am compelled to confess with very varying success. 

 Many north country men have made persistent efforts to 

 substitute Cheviots or Cheviot crosses for the Welsh sheep, 

 but have been compelled to abandon them, after buying their 

 experience somewhat dearly. Cheviot crosses have succeeded 

 better on the more grassy hills of Brecknockshire, which rest 

 on the old red sandstone, but they rarely succeed on hills 

 lying on the coal measures." 



There was a fair show of these sheep at the Royal Show at 

 Chester, 1893. ^ ne rams were all handsomely horned. The 

 ewes were hornless, and bare on the head. The noses were 

 black and the faces and shanks were white. The faces were 

 generally slightly rusty, or shaded with light yellow spots on 

 ears, face, and also on the legs. One of the first prize ewes 

 was peculiar for a rusty or light yellow face. The weights of 

 these sheep appeared to be from 12 to 14 Ibs. per quarter in 

 the case of shearling ewes, and up to 16 Ibs. per quarter in 

 the case of two-shear and older ewes. These were unusually 

 fine specimens selected for competition from the best flocks. 



CLUN FOREST SHEEP. 



The Clun Forest sheep was originally a white polled variety, 

 from 12 to 14 Ibs. the quarter, carrying a fleece of from 2^ to 

 3 Ibs. Radnor Forest and Clun Forest form the boundary 



