Photo by Reid. 



Border Leicester ram, Favorite, winner first prize at Highland and 

 Agricultural Society. Dumfries, Scotland. 189.5. Bred by and property of 

 Andrew Smith. Longniddry. Hadington. Scotland. 



DESCRIPTION OF THE LEICESTER SHEEP 

 *1*HIS BREED which was one of the first to be established originated in Leicester- 

 shire, England. The first improver, Robert Bakewell. 1726-179."). sought chiefly 

 to increase the early maturity of this breed and lessen the size of the bone and in- 

 crease the weight of flesh. The characteristics secured at that early time are main- 

 tained in the modern representative. The face is bare and pure white, body, square, 

 fore quarters especially full with the hind quarters peculiarly rounded on top. 

 There are usually many evidences of quiility as seen in the fine bone and the fur- 

 ther fact that the fiberof the fleece is usually reroarkably fine considering its length. 

 The marked aptitudeof the representatives of this breed to fatten results in remark- 

 able Ijacks liut frequently the same aptitude produces a soft and uneven covering. 

 Tlie Border Leicester, originating from an infusion of Cheviot iilood. is generally 

 stronger in bone and more vigorous than the English type. The wool of the fleece 

 s lustrous, five or si.\ inches long and very soft though frequently too open and 

 sometiiiu^s auscnt on tlic belly. 



