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advocates of fine wool versus strong wool do not want a short 

 dense coat like that of a Cheviot sheep, but a thick-set mellow 

 wool, of good length and as uniform as possible all over the body. 

 Sheep continue to yield heavy fleeces of this class of wool when 

 they are aged. 



THE DERBYSHIRE GRITSTONE BREED. The Derbyshire Gritstone 

 or Dale-o'-Goyt breed was promoted to a position of prominence 

 in October, 1906, by the formation at Bakewell of the Derbyshire 

 Gritstone Sheep Breeders Society. The name indicates the geo- 

 logical formation on which they have been bred pure for more 

 than 100 years in the bleak hills and dales of the Peak of Derby- 

 shire. The breed is dark or mottled on the face and legs. In 

 size, general appearance, and hardiness it resembles the Herd- 

 wick more than any other breed, but, on the best authority, it is 

 quite distinct an assertion which is strongly supported by the 

 absence of horns and the quality of wool, which is the shortest, 

 closest, and finest of all mountain wools. The wool brings a high 

 price, notwithstanding the occurrence of black patches, especially 

 from about the belly, thighs and rump. The ewes are splendid 

 mothers, and the lambs feed quickly into the finest mutton, not 

 over-fat. 



THE LIMESTONE BREED. The Limestone breed has only at- 

 tracted public attention in recent times, although on some farms 

 it has been maintained for over 100 years. Its habitat embraces 

 about eight parishes or townships on the dry limestones of the 

 lower districts of Westmorland, only a few townships being in the 

 higher parts of the county. To a limited extent it is found on 

 the Pennine range in Derbyshire. 



THE HERDWICK BREED. The Herdwick breed, the most peculiar 

 and the hardiest of all British Mountain sheep, is found in the 

 Fell districts of North Lancashire, Cumberland and Westmorland. 



Characteristics of the Breed The first essential of a well-bred 

 Herdwick is a good coat, and the next good bone. A few kemps 

 in the wool when a sheep gets to six years old indicate true Herd- 

 wick character. The animal should walk freely and be square on 

 his limbs in travelling to and from an observer, and have a good 

 thick tail. The best sheep when turned up are grey below, and 

 they are none the worse for being grey all over the body show- 

 ing a grey pelt after shearing. Strength is the predominating 

 feature in the ram and quality in the ewe. 



Ewes clip about 3 Ib. of wool, hoggs and wethers 4 Ib. or more, 





