1854. 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



465 



SOUTH DOWN SHEEP. 



The South Down sheep, according to one of the 

 best judges as well as extensive breeders of them, 

 Mr. Ellman, should have the head small and horn- 

 less, the face speckeled or grey, the under jaw 

 fine and thin, and the whole space between the 

 ears well fortified with wool ; the eye full and 

 bright ; the neck thin towards the head, but en- 

 larging towards the shoulders, and then broad and 

 high ; the chest wide, deep, and projecting be 

 tween the fore legs ; the shoulders level with the 

 back, bowing outwards from the top to the breast, 

 leaving room for a springing rib beneath ; tl*c rib 

 coming out horizontally from the spine, and the 

 last projecting from the rest ; the back ilat from 

 the shoulders to the tail ; the loin broad and flat; 

 the hips wide ; the belly as straight as the back ; 

 the legs neither too long nor too short, fine with- 

 out weakness, and of a speckled or dark color; the 

 belly well defended with wool ; the wool coming 

 down before and behind to the knee ; and short, 

 close, curled, fine, and free from spiry projecting 

 fibres ; the flesh fine grained and of excellent fla- 

 vor. Fat weathers used to average about eighteen 

 pounds per quarter ; but this has been considera- 

 bly increased by late attempts to improve the size 

 of the carcass. 



Three sheep were exhibited at the Smithfield 

 C ittleShow England, in 1835, the largest of which 

 wc'ghed 2.)1 pounds, and the smallest 283 pounds. 



With the increased weight of carcass, the wool 

 has also increased in weight and length of fibre. 

 It rarely used to be more than two inches in 

 length — it may now be averaged at three inches 

 and a half. It used to be employed in the coarse 

 cloths, and perhaps a small- portion of it found its 



way into the finer cloths — it now has become a 

 combing wool. It is valuable in carpets, flannels, 

 and worsted goods of every description. It has 

 changed its character. It is more extensively use- 

 ful ; and, considering the increased weight of the 

 fleece, and that of the carcass, and, more especial- 

 ly the early maturity of the animal, the South 

 down sheep is progressively and decidedly improv- 

 ing. 



These sheep have been bred for ages past on the 

 chalky soil of South Downs, in Sussex, England, 

 and on such short pasture, and in such exposed 

 situations, they are perhaps the most valuable 

 breed in the kingdom ; but they are spreading 

 fast, not only into similar districts, but into coun- 

 tries better calculated for long-wooled and larger 

 sheep. 



TOMATO FIGS. 



We have seen and tasted those delightful figs 

 referred to in the following arti^de from Hovey's 

 excellent Horticultural Magazine ; and endorse all 

 which he says in their favor. We hope that those 

 who raise abundance of tomatoes will save this 

 recipe, and try the experiment, if only on a small 

 scale. 



Recipe for Tomato Figs.—Vo\xx boiling water 

 over the tomatoes, in order to remove the skin ; 

 then weigh them and place them in a stone jar, with 

 as much sugar as you have tomatoes, and let them 

 stand two days ; then pourofl" the syrup, and boil 

 and skim it until no scum rises. Then pour it over 

 the tomatoes, and let tliem stand two days as be- 

 fore; then boil and skim again. After tiic third 

 time they are fit to dry if tlie weatlicr is good; if 

 not, let them stand in the syrup until drying 

 weather. Then place on largo eartlien plates or 

 dishes, and put them in the sun to dry, which will 

 take about a ,wcck, after which pack them down 



