THE MOUNTAIN BREEDS Of 



are a comparatively new breed in Scotland, if we 

 accept tradition, having existed there but about 140 

 years. From whence they came is a mystery. There 

 are no sheep elsewhere in the world like them, the 

 Lonks and Herdwicks of northern England having 

 most resemblance. They seem to be a spontaneous 

 product, creation of environment, to graze those 

 heathery hills. 



Of course they had to start from somewhere, and 

 the legend that they swam ashore from some sink- 

 ing ship of the Spanish Armada is harmless and as 

 good as any. The management of these hardy 

 Black-faced sheep is simple ; every day the shepherd 

 seeks to see each ewe of the flock, climbing high over 

 heather-clad hills with his dog at his side to accom- 

 plish this. It is his part to be sure that none of the 

 ewes have accidentally gotten upon their backs. They 

 are shorn in June or July, being brought down to the 

 farmstead for that purpose. It takes a good dog 

 and an agile shepherd to round them up and bring 

 them down, and it is customary to tie their feet 

 when they are shorn, since they struggle like wild 

 things. 



In winter they are brought down to the fields and 

 given a bite of hay and sometimes turnips. It is 

 found, however, that too many turnips encourage 

 the growth of horn in the unborn lamb that some- 

 times destroys both the unfortunate lamb and its 

 mother. 



Thus it is seen that this most beautiful and pic- 

 turesque sheep is one that presents unusual diffi- 



