172 BRITISH SHEEP AND SHEPHERDING. 



is a point of some perplexity to the Marsh men. Is it advisable 

 to alter the sheep much if the nature of the food available is not 

 altered ? is a problem which has had to be answered in respect to 

 many breeds. The solution has generally come by altering the 

 food ; that is, by changing the systems of farming to accomplish 

 it. The Kentish men are somewhat awkwardly placed, as, owing 

 to the large proportion of heavy land in the area lying back from 

 the Marshes, there is not much arable land suitable for root growing 

 and winter folding interspersed among the pasture land ; and 

 if the sheep are not wintered farther afield than has been customary, 

 where they can get on to light land and more roots, much care will 

 have to be exercised in alteration in the type of sheep. Considerable 

 alteration, giving earlier maturity, has been effected on the advanced 

 flocks, and the influence of rams from these is felt on the general flocks, 

 with appreciable benefit in appearance and quality. At the same 

 time, by no means all of the big flock masters are wholly in favour 

 in the change of type brought about, as some of them do not think 

 that they winter better on the food available. The tendency, 

 however, is to bring modern modifications to bear ; and probably 

 the situation will be met by giving the sheep extra food beyond 

 what they find on the winter pasturing. This will mean additional 

 cost ; but, on the whole, the breed can afford it ; for a very general 

 price for wintering is only 5s. per score per week. It is the low 

 cost of wintering that is very attractive to many ; but it is difficult 

 to see how change can be avoided. 



A Grazier's Breed. Many graziers prefer that the sheep do not 

 have roots, as they find that the sheep thrive better on their 

 return to the Marshes in April when they have had nothing but 

 grass. Moreover, many like the sheep to go back to them in a 

 very lean condition. But on many points there is by no 

 means unanimous agreement. Some like them lean and some 

 otherwise ; and, on the whole, there is probably as much difference 

 of opinion on points of management in this breed as in any British 

 sheep. But, admittedly, the race is singular in many respects ; 

 further, it is rather in transition, and these naturally make for 

 variable opinions. 



In handling the breed a little way from the Marsh, I have been 

 surprised at its adaptability. That it will do well on even only 

 moderate pasture is certain ; if it can get enough grass to eat it 

 will thrive. Its natural food is grass, and it seems to want nothing 

 more. Yet I find it a good sheep on roots alone, or preferably 

 on roots, with a run at grass. I have been seriously informed by 

 considerable flockmasters that ewes and lambs will not eat tares 

 or vetches, and that if they ate them they would suffer ; my 

 experience has been much to the contrary. There is no doubt 

 it is essentially a pasturage sheep, and is most profitable where 



