12 BRITISH SHEEP AND SHEPHERDING. 



which many breeders have set great store by, and it is reasonable 

 to argue that its over-development may have a bad influence ; 

 although moderately developed, it may in many instances have a 

 good effect. It is that of the overcovering of the head and face 

 with wool. In speaking of the bad influence that is meant to relate 

 to the British mutton producer, though it may be specially attractive 

 in those countries where the value of the fleece has a different 

 relative value to the carcase. There are certain minor points favour- 

 able to the covering of the poll of sheep. Some few breeds with 

 thin skin on the poll are liable to irritation by flies, and wool on 

 top is protective. A well-covered head gives an attractive sweep 

 from the nose over the head, suggesting a better outline to the 

 fore end ; it also suggests a full fleece. 



Head-covering becomes objectionable only when it is over- 

 done. At the same time it cannot be held that the Suffolk sheep, 

 which is bare from the setting on of the ears, loses anything in 

 style or appearance because it is not covered. As a matter of fact 

 it is suggestive of the high quality meat for which it is so properly 

 reputed. Whilst the Suffolk sheep holds its high position for 

 meat it cannot be urged that head-covering is essential ; and in 

 respect to that breed, it is not required for protection against 

 flies. On the whole, rather more than is necessary has been made 

 of the point of protection from flies, except in the case of a few 

 breeds. There are many things invidious and unfair in comparing 

 breeds, because certain features are retained in each one to ensure 

 its continuing to be properly suited to the soil and climate of the 

 district to which the foundation stock was indigenous. For this 

 reason there must be distinctiveness ; it would certainly be a 

 grave misfortune if all breeds were merged into one, if it were 

 possible, which is not a practicable proposition. This country 

 holds a strong position because of its varied types of sheep, with 

 their different aptitudes and characteristics ; and it is essential 

 that those who control and pioneer in breed modifications shall 

 be quite clear as to the wisdom of the direction in which they move. 



During the past twenty-five years whilst head-covering has 

 been so much in vogue, it can scarcely be said that the breeds 

 which have responded most to the endeavours of breeders in many 

 respects have made a corresponding improvement in the quality 

 of their mutton ; at the same time there has been improvement 

 in respect to earlier maturity, and in skin and fleece. But it can 

 be said that the Suffolk, a bare-headed breed, has made great 

 strides during that time in both mutton and fleece. This is not 

 a surprising result. It is not unreasonable that some advantages 

 may result when a harsh, unthrifty breed with little aptitude to 

 fatten is taken in hand, to encourage head-covering, because such a 

 breed has to undergo radical change, and this implies some necessity 



