84 THE SHEPHERD'S MANUAL. 



black muzzle and legs are highly regarded, as these denote quick 

 fattening properties, and hardiness of constitution. The breadth 

 of shoulder, the straightness and levelness of the back, the breadth 

 of loin, and the spring of the ribs and rotundity of the frame of 

 the Cotswold, Leicester, and other heavy-bodied sheep, indicate 

 capacity for feeding and digestion, and laying on of flesh, and are 

 therefore regarded as valuable points. Large bones are an unfavor- 

 able point, as they denote an abstraction of nutriment which 

 should otherwise go to the formation of flesh and the greater 

 value of the carcass. The absence of horns, for the same reason, 

 is desirable in sheep bred for mutton. A soft, mellow feeling of 

 skin and the tissue underneath, and a softness of the fleece, are 

 indicative of a tendency to the rapid formation of fat. A round 

 frame and broad loin indicate the existence of abundant flesh, 

 where it is the most valuable, and a general squareness of the out- 

 line of the figure proves the existence of large muscular develop- 

 ment and consequently heavy quarters. In short, for sheep which 

 are not kept solely for the production of wool, what is wanted is, 

 all the flesh possible with no more bone than can carry it, and that 

 the flesh should be where it will be the most valuable, viz : on those 

 parts which bring the highest prices on the butchers' stalls the 

 loins and quarters. Where wool is the sole object, weight and 

 fineness of fleece alone need to be considered. Where wool and 

 mutton are each equally sought for, the matter becomes compli- 

 cated by many considerations, each of which should be studied 

 with a view to give the preponderance to those which have the 

 greatest special or local importance. 



In crossing breeds, we seek to increase the size, improve the 

 shape, or hasten the maturity of the sheep ; or improve the length, 

 quality, or closeness of the fleece. But it will not do to select at 

 random any ram which may happen to possess the qualities 

 desired, without regard to some aflBnity of character with the 

 ewes, lest lambs should be produced that are weak hi constitution, 

 or shapeless mongrels, through too wide a disparity between the 

 parents. Experience has shown that the Leicester ram has made 

 a greater improvement with long-wool sheep than with the short- 

 wool breeds, and that the Southdown has made a more successful 

 first cross upon the latter. The Cotswold has been very success- 

 fully crossed upon the Merino, the Hampshire-down, the South- 

 down, and other races, and as the parent of cross-bred races, this 

 most valuable breed has gained the highest reputation. As a rule, 

 the first cross between a superior and high-bred race, and an infe- 

 rior one, produces the best sheep for breeding together ; further 



