CHAPTER IX. 



SELECTION OF BREED. 



The selection of a breed suitable for a particular locality is 

 dependent on many conditions. The first and most important 

 is the soil, after which come the climate, system of farming, nature 

 of herbage, and purpose for which they are required. Down 

 sheep are not best suited for rich pastures, and long-wool sheep 

 are not profitable on Down land. To a less degree all other sheep 

 are influenced by the soil on which they are carried, the extent 

 being regulated by the dissimilarity of the soil to that to which 

 they are indigenous. A very successful exhibitor of Shropshire 

 sheep in Nottinghamshire divided his flock, one portion being kept 

 at home on a good loam, while the other was sent but a few miles 

 away to a sandy soil ; the result was that he continued to win 

 prizes on the loam, but on the sand the flock lost size and char- 

 acteristic features, and so deteriorated, notwithstanding every effort 

 to prevent it, that in a few years he was obliged to substitute another 

 breed for them. Hampshire Downs taken on to gravels and cold 

 loams quickly lose their type, and are not so profitable as on their 

 native chalks, although the sheep may be moved but a few miles. 

 Much of this is due to the colder lair in whiter, as in summer time 

 they do well. With other breeds the same variation in type is 

 experienced when they are removed from conditions under which 

 the breeds are built up. It is therefore important to regard the 

 nature of the soil when entertaining the idea of making a change. 

 There is, however, one important point to be remembered in 

 the selection of a suitable breed for a particular farm. Although 

 the conditions may not be favourable for breeding, they may be 

 for feeding. When breeding, it is usual to keep to a selection 

 of the breed for a number of years, during which the sheep gradually 

 change their type ; whereas during the few months when imported 

 sheep are being fed little change takes place, and if it does, it 

 need not be of great moment. As a matter of fact, the greater 

 portion of the Down-bred sheep are fattened off on land at a con- 

 siderable distance from their breeding place, and thrive well. 



Soil and Climate. Climate, undoubtedly, has an effect on the 

 thriving capabilities of sheep. Those accustomed to dry lair, a 

 moderate rainfall and mild climate, suffer when the conditions 

 are changed. It is noticeable that the indigenous breeds of the 

 southern portion of the country, where the rainfall is light, the 

 climate mild, and the lair is dry, are almost, without exception, 

 short-wool breeds. An exception is found in the Romney Marsh 

 sheep, but exceptional conditions account for this : they are 



