LONGWOOLS. 71 



marsh pasturage, which included the Marsh or Fen breeds of 

 Lincoln and Romney Marsh ; in themselves coarse and big, but 

 under suitable crossing at a distant date, and by good management 

 and selection, now long- wool breeds of first importance. They 

 were of coarser type than the long-wools of the pastures at higher 

 and drier levels. The South Devon originally had somewhat 

 brown faces and legs, and the long fleece of the Marsh breed. The 

 type has been judiciously handled, and the formation of the 

 Flock Book Association in 1904 has given considerable impetus 

 to its interests. The sheep run to big weights, and possess the 

 faculty of early maturity in a marked degree. Lambs shown at 

 Smithfield in 1909 gave an average daily increase from birth of 

 13 oz. to 51 oz., which is the highest recorded at that Show. With 

 a good constitution, it is vigorous and thrifty, and does well in 

 the fold or at grass, being able to hold itself together on hard 

 fare and in exposed places. The fleece is curly and dense, of 

 long, staple, lustrous, and clean. 



SCALE OF POINTS FOR STANDARD TYPE OF 

 SOUTH DEVON SHEEP. 



General character and appearance .. .. .. .. 14 points. 



Head, wide, well covered with wool . . . . 6 



Face, white, full, rather long, muzzle broad, nostril 



dark and open . . . . . . . . . . 3 i -to 



Eyes, large, bright and prominent. Ears fairly 



long, medium thickness, covered with hair, 



preferably with black spots on white ear . . 3 



Neck, strong and big at base, well set on at the shoulders, 



medium length . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 ,, 



Shoulders, well set, the top level with the back and base 



of neck . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 ,, 



Chest, wide and deep . . . . . . . . . . 3 



Back, level, with a wide and well developed loin . . . . 10 ,, 



Legs, full, well let down, with a deep, wide twist. . . . 8 ,, 



Body, deep and long, ribs well sprung, thick through the 



heart, with fore and hind flank well developed . . . . 7 ,, 

 Rump, wide and long, and even with the loin . . . . 4 ,, 

 Tail, large, set on almost level with the loin . . . . 4 

 Wool, dense and even, great length of staple, covering 



the whole body, curly, and free from kemp or hair . . 14 

 Skin, mellow and of pink colour . . . . . . . . 4 ,, 



Carriage, smart, legs straight, of medium length, well let 



on outside the body, bone large .. .. .. ..10 ,, 



100 points. 



