18 BRITISH SHEEP AND SHEPHERDING. 



needed to be well guarded, so that its best usefulness may be 

 secured to other breeds, it is the Cheviot at the present time. It 

 cannot fail to do much, but what is essential is that its characteristics 

 as a heath or hill sheep shall be maintained, so that the quality of 

 its mutton shall not deteriorate. This is mentioned because 

 there is some fear that those who have first interest in it may 

 try to develop it too much to the type of the Downs, with their 

 wool-covered faces and increased tendency to fat at the expense 

 of the lean meat. This applies also to two other breeds which 

 have undergone great improvement in recent years the Ryeland 

 and the Exmoor. 



