352 Saddle and Sirloin. 



Saddleworths, in spite of the temptation of the extra 

 size both in fleece and mutton. Width of loin is their 

 failing point, and by way of mending it, and getting 

 quality of flesh as well, Mr. Peel resorted to the 

 Shropshire Down. The experiment was, however, not 

 wholly satisfactory, and Mr. Peel returned with all 

 speed to the " pure unmitigated Lonk." The Knowl- 

 mere flock consists of about 220 ewes, of which about 

 seventy or eighty are drafted every year, and brought 

 down from the fell to the valley, where they are put 

 to a Leicester tup. The effect of this better fare is to 

 bring many more doublets, and except the foot-rot 

 (for which the fell is an invaluable specific) attacks 

 them very badly, they are never moved back again. 

 Their lambs are sold fat in the summer, and the draft 

 ewes are passed on in November to the Lancashire 

 butchers, and average from I7lbs. to iglbs. a quarter. 

 Such is their peculiarly tameless nature, acquired from 

 four roving years, that they will not bear being taken 

 up to feed.* 



* The hill ranges of Yorkshire and Lancashire are believed to be the 

 earliest home of the Lonks. We find them extending north from 

 Clitheroe over the Forest of Bowland towards Lancaster, east by Colne 

 and Skipton as far as Keighley and Ben Rhydding, and south along 

 " the backbone of England, by Pendle Hill, Burnley, Todmorden, and 

 Bacup, almost to Blackstone Edge. The Penistone breed, a shorter 

 and thicker description of Lonk, then hold the hills, and Saddleworth 

 has also a large and plain sheep of its own, with a white face and legs 

 and coarse bone. The Saddleworth is a slower feeder than the common 

 Lonk, with which it is often crossed for the sake of size, and its wool, 

 which is worth as much, is a little closer and shorter in the staple. 

 Derbyshire has also Lonks on most of its hills and peaks, and its flock- 

 masters often go over to "report progress" at the Craven Show. 



Where there is a mere copyhold fell-right attached to a Lonk farm, 

 the wether lambs are nearly always sold, but never where a flock-master 

 has a great fell range, as, for instance, on the hills behind Bacup. A 

 right of common is attached to many farms, and the flocks go mixed, 

 with nothing but the " Lonk Book of Marks" as a guide to the owners. 

 The old system of the flock going with the farm has been worked out 

 except in one instance. It very much tended to support purity of breed, 

 as now, if there is a flock of pure Lonks on a farm, the incoming tenant 

 will not give the price for them, and commences forthwith to cross. On 



