Chapter LV. 



COTSWOLDS. 



The Cotswold breed is very old and firmly fixed in its characteristics. 

 It is said to have been introduced into England from Spain in the Twelfth 

 Century; the statement is only a supposition, however, probably based 

 on the fact that Spain possesses a breed of Longwools not unlike the 

 old unimproved Cotswolds. Certain it is that in the Thirteenth Century 

 Cotswold wool was known and valued in England, and found a place as 

 such in wool quotations. In 1467, permission was granted as a royal 

 favor by the King, Henry IV., to export some of these sheep to Spain, 

 a fact which illustrates the high favor Cotswolds had obtained at that date. 



Improvement of the breed was mainly effected after Bakewell's 

 time, by using the Leicester as a cross; this gave a greater aptitude to 

 fatten, smoothness, quality and appearance, without injuring the hardy 

 constitution of the old Cotswold breed. In America the breed has be- 

 come widely known, and is in general favor as a combined wool and 

 mutton sheep. 



Probably the first large importation was made about 1840, at which 

 time some 70 or 80 head were brought over ; since that date numerous 

 flocks have been founded, and the original excellence of imported ani- 

 mals ha^ been fully sustained by American breeders. 



DESCRIPTION AND CHARACTERISTICS. 



Color of face and legs white or light grayish; fleece (combing) eight 

 to 10 inches long, pure white, and weighing from 10 to 16 pounds for 

 an average clip. In size the Cotswold ranks among the large breeds, 

 ranging from 250 to 275 pounds, and occasionally a specimen dressing 

 over 300 pounds. The head is strong and large, with a somewhat "Ro- 

 man" nose, no horns, and a characteristic forelock of long curling wool 

 hanging over the forehead; the back is broad and flat, and the wool falls 

 away, naturally parted, from the center; the legs are of medium length, 

 with rather heavy bone, but clean and trim withal, and the feet 'are sound 

 and said to be not subject to foot diseases. The Cotswolds are large, 

 handsome, long-wooled sheep prime for mutton and furnishing an ex- 

 cellent quality of combing wool. They have been extensively used in 

 crosses, and have already figured in the origin of several well-known 



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