Chapter L. 



CHEVIOTS. 



The Cheviot breed of sheep had its origin in the Cheviot Hills or 

 mountains, situated in the north of England and extending into Scot- 

 land. The hills are mostly conical, and are separated by very narrow 

 valleys. On one side of the range of mountains lies the "heather" 

 country, the home of the old Black-Faced Heath Breed and on the 

 other is a rich, cultivated tract. 



This district, according to Low, "has produced from time im- 

 memorial a race of sheep entirely distinct in its characters from the 

 wild heath breed of the elevated moors adjoining." 



There is a fanciful sort of tradition to the effect that at the time of 

 the attempted invasion by the Spanish Armada (1588), and the conse- 

 quent wreck of the formidable fleet upon the stormy British coast, some 

 of the sheep with which the ships were provided swam ashore and 

 escaped to the Cheviot Hills, where they have since bred and multiplied. 



Cheviot sheep have gradually extended over the entire mountain- 

 ous portion of Scotland ; and during the past century have been 

 greatly improved by a class of breeders second to none in the world. 



They were imported to America about 1840, but have been in only 

 a few localities mainly in the state of New York and are still com- 

 paratively unknown. 



We are not aware that any Cheviot sheep can be found in the Gulf 

 States at present writing; nor is it probable that they will ever be 

 extensively introduced. 



DESCRIPTION AND CHARACTERISTICS. 



Color of face and legs white rarely tinted or speckled ; the head 

 is of good size, strictly hornless ; face broad, and especially full at 

 forehead ; ears wide apart and of good size ; eyes prominent and lively 

 all combining to make up a peculiarly intelligent, strong-featured ex- 

 pression, well suited to an independent mountain breed. The 

 shoulders are rather light, as in all mountain breeds of sheep ; but the 

 body is long, deep, and remarkably well filled at the loin and quarters. 

 The fleece is short and of medium fineness, and makes up the great 

 bulk of the genuine Scotch tweeds and Cheviot cloths. 



As compared with other breeds in respect to fleece they do not 

 show to advantage, since their wool is too coarse for carding and too 



17 257 



