THE KENTISH OR ROMNEY MARSH SHEEP. 35 



Writing upon the Romney Marsh sheep, Professor David 

 Low records in his time that " it may be doubted if there now 

 exists a single long-woolled sheep in the county of Kent in 

 which the influence of the new Leicester blood does not appear." 

 And yet, some years later (1855), his successor, the late 

 Professor Wilson, wrote : " Attempts have been made at 

 various times to introduce Leicester blood into the flocks, but 

 they have not been altogether successful the shape and points 

 of the animal have been improved, and earlier maturity and 

 aptitude for fattening obtained, while at the same time the size 

 of the sheep has been somewhat diminished, and the fleece, 

 though improved in staple, has been reduced in weight. It has 

 also been found that if the Leicester blood predominates, or 

 even exceeds a certain point, the natural hardihood of consti- 

 tution is changed, and the sheep become too tender for their 

 exposed pastures." This is careful writing, and no doubt a 

 correct criticism upon the introduction of Leicester blood. 

 Even the most recent of the two quotations given now belongs 

 to a past generation ; we see from it how the memory of the 

 previous crossings spoken of by Low appeared to be forgotten. 

 The Romney Marsh sheep is now bred with care on both 

 sides, and it would scarcely be fair to speak of the breed of 

 to-day otherwise than as a distinct variety. What Professor 

 Wilson spoke of in his day as the " pure " breed had white 

 head and legs, long and broad face, with a tuft of wool on the 

 forehead ; no horns ; neck long and thin ; breast narrow, with 

 moderate forequarters ; the body long, with flattish sides and 

 sharp chine ; loins wide and strong ; the belly large ; thighs 

 broad and thick ; and legs and feet large, with coarse bone 

 and muscle. They are also described as very hardy, and as 

 bearing closer stocking than other breeds. 



This description scarcely fits the new breed, which, during 

 the last thirty years, has undergone great improvement in all 

 respects. The practice of naming sires and keeping a 

 pedigree of good sheep is now adopted by many breeders with 

 good results. Mr. Thomas Brown, of Marham, has introduced 



