SOUTHDOW^'S.j 



SHEEP, 



[SOUTHDOWNS. 



everv sense, particularly as the short wool, 

 used exclusively in the manufacture of fine 

 cloths, is abundantly supplied by foreign 

 " growers." Of this race, one of the first is 

 the improved Southdown breed, depasturing 

 on the long range of chalky hills extending 

 from the sea-coast of the Isle of Thanet, and 

 the cliffs of Dover, through Kent and Sussex. 

 Formerly this breed, as Mr. Ellman states, in 

 the Library of Agricultural Knowledge, was a 

 small size, far from possessing a good shape, 

 and late before they were capable of being 

 fattened ; now, however, they are greatly 

 improved, both in shape and constitution. 

 " They are smaller in bone, equally hard, with 

 a greater disposition to fatten, and much 

 heavier in carcass when fat. They used sel- 

 dom to fatten till they were four years old ; but 

 it would be a rare sight to see a pen of South- 

 down wethers at market more than two years 

 old, and many are killed before they reach that 

 age." The Southdown sheep is, in fact, the 

 model of what a hill sheep ought to be, and the 

 ilesh, in fineness of grain and flavour, is pecu- 

 liarly excellent. The wool is of a very useful 

 quality, but is both larger in fibre, and less 

 numerously serrated, than the short Saxony, 

 and does not, therefore, possess such a felting 

 power ; hence it is rarely used in the manufac- 

 ture of fine broad-cloths. Still, from its fine- 

 ness and felting powers, compared with the 

 wool of many other middle-woolled breeds, it 

 is highly esteemed; and for flannels and 

 worsted goods in general, is extensively em- 

 ployed. 



In describing it, the hair on its face is black 

 or brown, even, short, and fine. The wool is 

 short, close, and remarkably fine in texture 

 and quality. It lies thick over the whole 

 body, and has, when touched, a feeling of great 

 softness, accompanied with a high degree of 

 elasticity. The top of the head is free from 

 wool, and the countenance is fine and placid ; 

 the eye is full and expressive, yet mild and 

 gentle, and somewhat prominent. The ears 

 are small, and fall backward and a little up- 

 ward. The legs are short, especially from the 

 knees to the feet. Tihe breast is full, round, 

 and moderately wide ; the neck thick and 

 short, but free from loose fleshy skin. The 

 top of the back is straight and flattish, but not 

 reu TLrk ably broad; whilst the bellv is nearly 

 716 



straight, but a little tucked in behind the 

 shoulders. The wool is remarkably fine, and 

 is the only kind of English material altogether 

 suitable for the finer class of cloths. Tbn 

 breed is without horns, and comparatively 

 hardy, occupying the downs of Dorset, and 

 now gradually extending into Norfolk, York- 

 shire, Hampshire, Kent, &c. In the London 

 market, where their mutton is considered 

 superior to all other kinds, they are in great 

 request. This is the improved Southdown; 

 but the older breeds were low, and light in 

 the fore quarters, although they were backed 

 with good saddles and legs. The improvements 

 have not been effected by crossing from other 

 breeds, but from selecting the best, and breed- 

 ing carefully from them ; and while the sym- 

 metry and points of the animal have been so 

 much improved, the quality and grain of the 

 mutton, the equal distribution of fat and lean, 

 the marblings of the flesh, and the internal 

 fulness of tallow, have all been fully sus- 

 tained. An earlier maturity in the breed has 

 been attained, and the fattening process has 

 progressed. The wool is longer, being about 

 four inches, though not yet long enough for 

 combing. The fleece usually weighs from 2\ 

 to 3 lbs. ; and the average weight of the 

 carcass may be taken at 18 lbs., though the 

 improved breed will often weigh from 20 

 to 23 lbs. per quarter. Mr. Ellman, of Glynde, 

 was the great improver of this breed. Two 

 of his rams were bought by the emperor of 

 Eussia, to try the effect of a cross on the 

 Northern sheep. This honour was appreciated 

 by Mr. Ellman, who requested the Duke of 

 Bedford to put a price on them, as he did not 

 wish to charge a sovereign a greater price 

 than any one else. The duke accordingly 

 fixed the price of the two at 300 guineas, 

 and purchased a pair for himself at the same 

 rate. In order to thrive well, and groio in 

 mutton, the breed requires a dry, chalky lime- 

 stone, or gravelly soil, with fine short herbage. 

 The ewes are prolific, two bearing twins to one 

 being single ; and the draft ewes are usually 

 sold off, at four years old, to feed in the turnip 

 districts of Norfolk and Suffolk. The care of 

 the sheep is nowhere better understood than 

 in Sussex, where they are housed and sheltered 

 in severe weather, at and near the lambing 

 season. When the lambs are a-foot, they are 



