110 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



keep up the size (which has been done with all these breeds 

 improved by the influence of South Down blood), they have 

 become grand sheep with a good fleece, heavier than the 

 Cots wold and somewhat finer ; they are very likely to drop 

 twins, and are very capable of raising them. All of these 

 Down shoe}) arc worthy of our attention and care. 



Leicesters. 

 The original Leicesters were large, coarse, inferior ani- 

 mals, till Robert Bakewell, something over a century ago, 

 commenced their improvement ; and by care, selection and 

 breeding steadily for one purpose, he made them the best 

 mutton sheep in the world at that time, not caring whether 

 they had any wool or not. He bred them so close and so 

 fine as greatly to impair their constitution. They are not 

 suited to our climate and general treatment as pure-bred 

 animals, but our native sheep were years ago improved by a 

 cross of Leicester for size. 



Gotswolds. 



The Cotswolds came from the county of Gloucester, early 

 noted for wool production ; its sheep were so highly prized 

 that four hundred years ago a number were exported to 

 Spain by royal permission. They are remarkable for size 

 and symmetry, and are of an imposing presence. The head 

 is large, without horns, carried high and well wooled, with 

 a large forelock hanging over the face ; the face and legs are 

 white, occasionally slightly mottled with gray or dark 

 brown ; the wool is long, wavy and lustrous, sometimes 

 measuring eight to ten inches, and commands a high price ; 

 the quality of the flesh, — though not equal to the Downs, — 

 their great size and good shape make them desirable espe- 

 cially to cross on other breeds when increased size is desired, 

 and they have been used for that purpose in this State. 



Dor sets. 

 Another breed which is attracting considerable attention in 

 this country at the present time, and has long been popular 

 in England, is the Dorset. From time immemorial these 

 sheep have been naturalized in the county of Dorset, and 

 formerly extended over a large tract of country. 



