72 SHEEP INDUSTRY OF THE UNITED STATES 



with debility or defect of organization, often made them cripples in 

 mature age. Frequent instances occurred in which common ewes had 

 twins by Ancon rams, one of which exhibited the complete marks and 

 features of the ewe, the other of the ram. The contrast was rendered 

 singularly striking when one short-legged and one long-legged lamb, 

 produced at a birth, were seen sucking the dam at the same time. The 

 Ancons kept together, separating themselves from the rest of the flock 

 when put into inclosures with other sheep. The Ancon lambs were less 

 capable of standing up to suck without assistance, when first yeaned, 

 than others. Here, then, was a remarkable and well-established 

 instance, not only of a very distinct race being established, but of that 

 race breeding true at once, and showing no mixed forms, even when 

 crossed with another breed. By taking care to select Ancons of both 

 sexes to breed from, it became easy to establish this well-marked race, 

 and there is every reason to believe it could have been prolonged, had 

 circumstances demanded it. 



Although the Ancons arrived somewhat later at maturity they were 

 said to live as long as those of our common flocks, unless in some 

 cases where by reason of their debility and decrepitude their health 

 was impaired and their lives shortened. To whatever cause it may be 

 attributed, whether arising from defect in vertebra, muscle, joint, or 

 limb, it is certain that they could neither run nor jump like other sheep. 

 They were more infirm in their organic construction, as well as more 

 awkward in their gait, having their forelegs always crooked, and their 

 feet turned inward as they walked. It was also observed that the 

 rams were commonly more deformed than the ewes. 



This breed was looked upon as a valuable acquisition from the fact 

 that they were less able than others to get over fences. In New Eng- 

 land, beyond which they rarely migrated, there were few commons, 

 no hedges, no shepherds, and no dogs whose business it was to watch 

 flocks. The small farms were inclosed by wooden and stone fences. 

 These were generally too low to prevent active sheep from breaking out 

 of pastures into meadows or grounds under cultivation. Crops were 

 injured and farmers discouraged. Hopes were entertained that this 

 would be remedied, and these hopes were partially realized. 



On the other hand, the drovers complained of the great difficulties 

 of driving these cripples to market, and the butcher that the carcass 

 was smaller and less salable than the common sheep. It was com- 

 monly not so fat. It did not fatten so readily, owing, probably, to less 

 facility in moving about for gathering food. In taste it differed but 

 little from other mutton. 



There was much variation in the fleece, not exceeding in quality and 

 quantity that of the common sheep, that from a cross of an Ancon ewe 

 and Merino ram being very silky and of the general quality of a quar- 

 ter-blood Merino. Daniel Holbrook, Derby, Conn., made some exper- 

 iments with this sheep and the Merino which are of interest and must 



