MUTTON BREEDS 63 



men have understood their requirements, and have 

 failed wherever in the hands of careless or ignorant 

 shepherds. It is notable that there are now pro- 

 duced in America under the conditions of the east- 

 ern states as good Dorsets as there are in the world, 

 whereas most of the other mutton breeds rely upon 

 importations to maintain their quality. Dorsets find 



SOME OHIO DORSETS. 



their best use in America in the hill regions of the 

 South, where early lambs are grown. They are fa- 

 vorites in Virginia, West Virginia, and so far as 

 tried in Kentucky, and in the northern states they 

 are largely used in the "hothouse" lamb business. 

 Dorsets are excellent for cross-breeding, the lambs 

 growing well and fattening readily, and cross-bred 

 ewes from Merino mothers and Dorset sires form 



