THE LEICESTER 



625 



assuming a pure form of a variety of the Leicester. In 1767 the 

 Culleys moved into northern Northumberland to Fenton, near 

 Wooler, among the Cheviot Hills on the English side of the 

 border between England and Scotland. In this region they 

 developed the Border Leicester, which became very popular. In 

 1806 they retired and their flock was dispersed, being purchased 

 by various breeders. There are to-day in the border region flocks 



FIG. 295. Judging Border Leicesters in 1914 at the Highland and Agricultural 

 Society Show at Hawick, Scotland. From photograph by the author 



directly descended from Culley rams. The Mertoun flock of Lord 

 Polwarth, said to have been established in 1 802, had a continuous 

 existence for over a century, and a world-wide reputation. 



The characteristics of the Border Leicester sheep in compari- 

 son with the Bakewell Leicester are interestingly shown by 

 Professor Wrightson as follows : 



The differences between the Leicester and Border Leicester are to be chiefly 

 seen in the head, which in the Border Leicester is white and boldly carried, 

 the nose slightly aquiline, the muzzle full, the nostrils wide, and the ears erect. 

 The head is clean and free from wool, as is pretty well shown by the fact that 

 they suffer from flies settling on their polls in summer. The English Leicester, 

 unless trimmed and shaved for show, usually carries a tuft of wool on his head, 

 which protects it from flies, and he is also wooled in the shanks. The English 



