THE LINCOLN 



639 



of excellence of the National Lincoln Sheep Association specifies 

 that matured rams should weigh not less than 250 pounds when 

 in good condition, and ewes in similar age and condition not less 

 than 200 pounds. Shaw and Heller give 250 to 375 pounds for 

 the ram and 225 to 275 pounds for the ewe, while Coffey gives 

 300 and 250 pounds respectively for ram and ewe in breeding 

 condition. Professor Wrightson, in comparing with the Leicester, 



FIG. 301. Gibson's 155-10858, grand-champion Lincoln ram at the Louisiana 



Purchase Exposition, 1904. Owned and exhibited by J. T. Gibson, Denfield, 



Ontario. From photograph by the author 



says that " in size the Lincoln is greatly superior, and he may be 

 credited with being the heaviest sheep of the British Isles, having 

 been known to attain a weight of 90 pounds per quarter." 



The quality of Lincoln mutton does not rank high. The size 

 is too large, too much fat is produced, and the flesh r tends to 

 coarseness of fiber. All things considered, the Lincoln cannot be 

 regarded as the equal of any of the Down breeds in the quality 

 of its mutton. When killed during the lamb season, especially 

 from eight to ten months of age, a more acceptable class of meat 

 is produced. Wrightson, however, regards the Lincoln as produc- 

 ing a firmer flesh than the Leicester. The carcass dresses out 



