78 BRITISH SHEEP AND SHEPHERDING. 



features improved the fleece, which previously was very short 

 and light. At times some of the Long-wools require a fillip from 

 the Leicester to maintain their characteristic features and con- 

 stitution ; and although the Leicester itself may have received 

 a stiffening in return, it has been well directed, and its place among 

 the wool-producing breeds is necessary. Many parts of the North 

 of England, and much of the Scottish Borderland, and still further 

 inland, would have fared badly but for the Border-Leicester, the 

 Leicester and Cheviot breed (for although the Border-Leicester 

 men are advocates of the narrow or one race breed, and urge 

 there is nothing but Leicesters, their case is weak) ; and cross 

 breds with the Border-Leicester are to be met with in almost 

 all parts of the country, especially as a great number come 

 to be fattened as far down as the Thames, and occasionally 

 south of it. 



It is impossible, within reasonable space, to specify where all 

 cross-bred sheep are located. Some are kept constantly in some 

 districts, and in others only occasionally ; but the number of 

 crosses kept is very great. It is a great feature in the sheep 

 management of these islands that careless mongrel breeding is 

 steadily diminishing as breeders better realise the advantage of 

 crossing with pure types, that is, with those bred straight, skilfully 

 and carefully for many generations. The pure bred is the founda- 

 tion of the cross bred as opposed to the mongrel ; and the necessity 

 for maintaining as many pure breeds as will embrace the whole 

 of the good indigenous characteristics which were evolved during 

 centuries must be obvious to all. However, with changing markets 

 and conditions, it becomes necessary, just as it has been during 

 the century or century and a-half that the breeds that are with 

 us were modified as circumstances directed, should be recast 

 or remodelled, to meet conditions as they alter. That this will 

 be done there can be little doubt ; and that it will be done with 

 all skill is equally certain, even though it may call for bold men 

 to grapple with the problems that arise in their individual localities. 



Those interested in sheep have a very interesting period in 

 front of them in regarding the changes as they will be made. Some 

 districts have never yet been satisfactorily provided with a breed, 

 and new ones will be found for them ; or older ones will be infused 

 with other blood, and more suitable ones will be evolved from 

 them. In a sense there is no best breed. Most are the best breeds 

 for the districts in which they have been produced, but there is 

 no universally best breed. Advocates for the type to which they 

 are attached often conscientiously believe, from their own experi- 

 ence, that none equals theirs, and therefore should be universally 

 adopted. But that is rather a parochial way of regarding the 

 great variety of conditions this little island provides, and the 



