52 BRITISH SHEEP AND SHEPHERDING. 



in the opinion of some leading breeders, has, as years passed, 

 been more influenced by the Shropshire than they thought desirable. 

 Nevertheless, for a time a good deal of interchange went on, and, 

 some twenty years ago, bar the leg and face markings, there was 

 considerable similarity in flocks described respectively as Kerry 

 Hill or Clun Forest, whilst some of the latter showed more Shrop- 

 shire influence. 



The amalgamation of breeds, and subsequent selection, have 

 produced a remarkably vigorous and hardy breed, not strictly of 

 mountain type, although possessing many of its features. At 

 present the horns are not quite bred out of the rams, though nearly 

 so. It is an excellent grazing sheep, but is well suited to winter 

 on roots, and generally to be kept on arable land adjoining hills, 

 where it can have the run of both. It produces a good carcase 

 of first-class meat, with a fleece of 41b. to 81b. from ewes and 

 wethers. The wool is somewhat kempy, and where it is required 

 to exist in wet districts, it would not be advisable to get rid of 

 this, it ensures the rentention of mountain characteristics, and 

 is in keeping with the distinctive long, large and fleshy tail. The 

 breed has become popular on heavy and wet grazings in many 

 parts of the country, where it is met with either pure or crossed. 

 It has proved itself a good sheep on parts of the Sussex Weald. 

 The ewes make good mothers, and are in much demand for crossing 

 with the Welsh Mountain, Shropshire and other breeds to produce 

 early lamb. It is a breed that appears to have great possibilities in 

 countries abroad where there is hilly, cold, exposed, or wet land. 

 Whilst the Kerry Hill Sheep Association publishes a standard 

 of points which it thinks well to place before breeders for general 

 guidance, it recognises that there is yet some diversity of type, 

 as is only natural in a breed which has not been a long time under 

 the guidance of an association, and evidently desires that latitude 

 should be given to breeders to mould the type as experience best 

 guides. Among the breed characteristics which they put for- 

 ward are : 

 Head. Well covered, but brown and black on top between the 



ears is objectionable. 

 Face. A good speckle, black and white, not too black. Clean 



cheeks, well woolled to the jaw bone. 

 Ears. Fairly short, thick, well set, speckled. 

 Tail. Long, well set on fleshy dock, with plenty of wool to the 



point. 



Legs. Large bone, speckled, free from wool below the knees. 

 Skin. A nice pink or red skin, free from black or blue spots. 

 Wool. A tight, close fleece of white wool, a good length, showing 



a little fledge on the face, coarser on breech and tail. Horns 



objectionable. 



