66 BRITISH SHEEP AND SHEPHERDING. 



blue colour in the skin of the face, ears and legs ; and often to a 

 considerable extent over the body. This colouration is approved 

 because the breed is largely used to cross with Scotch Black-faced 

 sheep, producing what in England are commonly called Mashams, 

 and in Scotland, Yorkshire crosses. The breed has considerably 

 improved in one's own recollection, though it is not always attractive 

 at first sight, as it does not evince so much as some other breeds 

 the characteristics of early maturity. At the same time, it is 

 a well-fleshed animal. It possesses much of the Leicester blood, 

 "and apparently had origin in the old Tees water breed. It is 

 recorded that the present type was established from a celebrated 

 ram, Blue Cap, born in 1839, which had a dark-blue head, and 

 a nearly black skin and this view is commonly accepted. The 

 better quality of its meat over the mutton of most long-wool 

 sheep is, however, suggestive of a dash of hill or heath strain, 

 though this probably comes from the practice of turning the sheep 

 on to the hills, in some places, where they get a distinctive herbage. 



The Wensleydale is a very big sheep, long and rather rakish 

 as compared with other long-wools. Its long, strong neck, and 

 pertly set head, suggest this. It is largely employed for crossing 

 'purposes in the north, and in parts of Scotland, particularly with 

 the Black-face. It matures somewhat slowly, and many of these 

 cross-breeds, known as Mashams, are fed down the Eastern Counties, 

 and not a few reach the London area, where they are considerably 

 run in the parks and on golf courses. Some get further south 

 than London. The meat sells well, and a good fleece is cut. Some 

 little confusion arises through the alternative name of Yorkshire 

 crosses as applied to the cross in Scotland, the term " Mashams " not 

 being commonly used in that country. The pure breed and the 

 crosses are hardy and active, and I have found the crosses do very 

 satisfactorily on the Sussex Weald. Some care, however, is needed 

 to get them out at the right time of the year. The Wensleydale 

 breeders are divided slightly in their views, with the result that 

 the breed is represented by two Flock Books, published respectively 

 by the Wensleydale Long-wool Sheep Breeders' Association 

 and the Wensleydale Bluefaced Sheep Breeders' Association a 

 somewhat unnecessary attention to pay to the breed where all 

 might have been incorporated in one, with the advantage of 

 strength that comes from union. 



The characteristic features outlined by the Wensleydale Sheep 

 Breeders' Association are : Face, dark ; ears, dark and well 

 set on. Head, broad, flat between ears. Muzzle, strong in rams. 

 A tuft of wool on forehead. Eyes, bright and full. Head, gaily 

 carried. Neck, moderate length, and strong. Wool, bright 

 lustre, curled all over body, all alike in staple. Legs, straight, 

 and a little fine wool below the hock. Forelegs, well set apart. 



