MODERN SHEEP: BREEDS AND MANAGEMENT. in 



THE EXMOOR. 



The Exmoor is an English breed, making its home in West 

 Somersetshire bordering on North Devon. Exmoor is a wild 

 mountainous tract of land consisting of uncultivated commons 

 well covered with heather, and still the native' haunt of the black 

 cock and red deer. A race of mountain sheep has run these wilds 

 from time immemorial. Some authorities claim that the Exmoor 

 came from the same common stock as the Dorset, which would 

 seem not unlikely judging by their similarity in appearance. The 

 Exmoor is a very hardy sheep, and where properly cared for is 





Exmoor, in Full Fleece Skinner Type. 



quite prolific, often bringing twins and even triplets. Its mut- 

 ton is of the best. They are famous as fat lamb raisers. They 

 are fair shearers. 



Mr. H. H. Dixon. who perhaps understood the Exmoor as well 

 as anyone, says this of the breed: "A very strong constitution, 

 which wili bear being buried in a snowdrift for several days ; a 

 fine, curly horn; a broad, square loin; round ribs; a drum-like 

 and not a square carcass, on short legs; and close-set fleece with 

 wool well up to the cheeks." 



Billingsley, in his Survey of Somerset, says of this breed: 

 "Though these sheep in appearance are vastly inferior to those 

 before described (Old Bampton breed), being in their youth sub- 



