MODERN SHEEP I BREEDS AND MANAGEMENT. Q3 



Yorkshire, where they feed quicker than any other class of sheep 

 that have been wintered on the same situation, requiring less artifi- 

 cial food, and with a minimum proportion of loss; they are also 

 remarkably sound in their feet^ and but seldom attacked by what 

 is generally termed 'footrot.' This hardiness of constitution is very 

 desirable in any class of sheep, wherever situated, and is of special 

 importance in the case of those reared in exposed situations, where 

 natural food may at times be scarce, and artificial substitutes not 

 easily procurable. Not only are the Leicesters a well-constitutioned 

 class of sheep, but good breeders, having for a long time enjoyed 

 a reputation as the very best on the Yorkshire wolds. They are 

 splendidly adapted for crossing with colonial and foreign sheep, 

 and can be specially recommended for that purpose. In regard to 

 wool the Leicester is very wealthy, having frequently been known 

 to produce fleeces of clean" washed wool weighing from .21 up to 28 

 lb., and the coat is of a beautiful texture. They are upstanding; 

 a good size ; exceptionally full in the neck and shoulders ; the chest 

 broad and deep ; back broad and firm to the touch ; and quarters of 

 a good length. The sheep attain to a great weight, records showing 

 that they have turned the scales at 240 lb." 



Although Livingston in his "Essay on Sheep" does not in 

 words s&j that General Washington introduced the Leicesters into 

 this country it is easy by reading between the lines to infer that he 

 considered he did. 



The Leicesters are very popular in Canada, but hold no monop- 

 oly in this country. In New Zealand they are held in high esteem 

 for crossing in the production of lambs for "freezers." 



Among Canadian breeders who have done good work for the 

 breed may be mentioned the names of Smith, Kelly, Laidlaw, 

 Whitelaw, etc. 



In the "History of the New Zealand Meat Trade," published 

 in New Zealand in 1903, by Mr. Thomas Brydone. a well-known 

 authority on the meat- export trade, the Border Leicester- 

 Merino cross is placed first amongst the list of profitable crosses. 



Professor Wrightson, in his famous work, describes the im- 

 proved Leicester as follows : "Lips and nostrils black, nose slightly 

 narrow and Roman, but the general form of the face wedge-shaped, 

 and covered with short white hairs; forehead covered with wool, 

 although this is not always the case ; no vestige of horns ; ears thin, 

 long and mobile; a black speck on face and ears not uncommon; 

 a good eye; neck short, and level with back, thick and tapering 

 from skull to shoulders and bosom ; breast deep, wide and prom- 

 inent; shoulders somewhat upright and wide over the tops; great 

 thickness from blade to blade or "through the heart" ; well filled up 

 behind the shoulders, giving a great girth ; well sprung ribs, wide 

 loins, level hips, straight and long quarters, tail well set on, good 

 legs of mutton, round barrel, great depth of carcass, fine bone, a 



