380 SHEEP 



an easy feeder, and unsurpassed in quality of flesh and dressing out 

 at killing. Southdowns of his breeding possessed more size than 

 did those of Ellman. He began letting out rams in 1823, and 

 about 1846 was placing out 200 annually. For years his ram 

 sales and letting out sales were important events. He was a most 

 successful exhibitor, and in 1856 won a special gold medal for 

 his Southdown exhibit at the International Exposition at Paris, 

 France. The Webb flock was dispersed in 1862, but Mr. C. 

 Adeane, who now occupies Babraham, is one of England's best- 

 known breeders and exhibitors of Southdowns. 



The breeding of the Southdown by the English nobility has 

 long been noteworthy. In the time of Ellman, George the Third 



FIG. 170. Chichester King 65, 17434, first-prize and champion Southdown 

 ram in 1904 at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition and at various 

 state fairs. Owned and exhibited by George McKerrow of Wisconsin. 

 Photograph by the author 



became interested in this breed, which ever since has been main- 

 tained on the royal estates. The present king, Edward VII, 

 has for years had a fine flock. Lord Walsingham has long 

 been a prominent breeder, while the estate of the Duke of 

 Richmond has for over a century bred Southdowns ; so also 



