SHEEP 85 



the Shropshire cross Is one of the best. South- 

 downs are much used in Kent and Suffolk for 

 producing mutton of high quality in the local 

 flocks ; on almost all breeds Southdowns give 

 excellent results. Hampshire Down ram 

 lambs are splendid for crossing with other 

 breeds to get prime mutton. Cotswold rams 

 are excellent for crossing with sheep on poor 

 soils in order to secure size, fleshiness, hardi- 

 ness, early maturity and better wool. 



"Wool is a secondary consideration with 

 the British flock-master, to whom meat is the 

 prime object in keeping sheep, and consequently 

 he does not specially breed and rear sheep for 

 their wool, particularly as the competition is so 

 keen, notably from Australia. 



Our different breeds vary a great deal in 

 the quality and quantity of wool they yield. 

 The largest yielders of wool are the Leicester, 

 Lincoln, Wensleydale and Cotswold breeds ; 

 much coarser wool is given by the mountain 

 breeds, but in this respect they are much 

 improved when crossed with Border Leicesters 

 or Wensleydales. The best quality of wool, 

 but the shortest in the staple, is given by the 

 Down breeds. 



