LINCOLNS. 285 



In size, the Lincolns are classed as the largest of modern breeds 

 fat two-year-old wethers frequently weighing upwards of 300 pounds, 

 and mature breeding rams from 225 to 250 pounds. From Consul 

 General Merritt's Report, dated at London, England, March 25, 1884, 

 we clip the following in reference to Lincoln sheep : 



"Being very broad, deep and compact in form, they generally outstrip the Cots- 

 wolds in weight at the Smithfield Club Shows, and last December, the heaviest pen [three 

 animals of a kind taken collectively] of sheep in the Agricultural Hall was that of Mr. 

 John Pears, which took first prize in the Ewe Class, the animals weighing nine cwt., 

 two quarters, twenty-four pounds." 



An average of 323^3 pounds per head. 



The Lincoln requires rich food and plenty of it, but when the 

 proper conditions are given, it would be hard to find a more profitable 

 sheep. For the South, we would hardly consider them valuable al- 

 though it must be admitted that the opinion is purely theoretical, since 

 we have no knowledge of any Lincoln flocks in the Gulf states. 



The large illustration represents the ram Rescue, winner of nine 

 first and four second prizes in England and Canada ; and the two 

 shearling ewes Daisy and Ermine, winners of the first and second 

 prizes respectively at no less than five fairs or exhibitions on the 

 Canada side; all imported in 1883, by Geary Bros., London, Ontario, 

 Canada, and Brookfield, Mo., U. S. A. 



The ram, Lord Preston, was bred and raised in England, and the 

 engraving is the work of English artists. 



