SHEEP HUSBANDRY. 119 



probably in the schools of the county, who have ncrver seen the 

 animal. The origin of the domestic sheep is not known, though 

 it is presumed to have been in Asia or Africa, and the wilds 

 of both countries now abound with animals from which the 

 domestic sheep may have sprung. 



It is generally conceded that civilization has improved tlie 

 disposition, manners, flesh and fleece of the race. In a wild 

 state the sheep is usually furnished with horns, is covered with 

 coarse wool or hair, and the flesh resembles that of the goat. 

 The size of a domestic sheep varies from less than one hundred 

 to nearly four hundred pounds, live weight, but neither the 

 quality of the flesh nor the value of the fleece is proportionate 

 to the weight of the animal. 



As a general fact in Great Britain, the largest sheep are found 

 in the highly cultivated lowland counties, and the smaller ones 

 upon the mountains. It is probable, however, that in Great 

 Britain, at the present time, the favorite breeds are introduced, 

 and raised with tolerable success, in all sections. 



These seem to be the Southdowns, under various local names, 

 and the Leicesters and Lincolnshires. The Southdowns are dis- 

 tinguished for the economy with which they may be kept, for 

 their fattening properties, for the quality of wool, and for their 

 peaceful character. They still command large prices, and within 

 the last fifty years, single bucks have been let by the year in 

 Great Britain for fabulous sums of money ; say from five hun- 

 dred to six thousand dollars. An offspring of this breed called 

 the Oxfordshire Downs, has been introduced into this country, 

 and is a favorite with sheep raisers generally. 



In this State they are more known in Essex and Plymouth 

 Counties than elsewhere. They appear to have attracted notice 

 in England.about eighty years ago, and were thus described by 

 a writer of that period. They have no horns, but grey faces 

 and legs, fine bones, long small necks, rather low before, high 

 on the shoulders, and light in the fore-quarters, sides good, loins 

 tolerably broad, backbone rather high, thigh full, twist good, 

 mutton fine in grain, and well flavored. Wool short, close and 

 fine, and in the length of staple from two to three inches. 

 Weight, per quarter, of wethers two years old, eighteen pounds. 

 This would give a total live weight of one hundred and forty or 

 one hundred and fifty pounds. 



