CHAPTER VI. 



THE BORDER LEICESTER. 



The crossing of the old English Leicester, before it 

 was so vastly improved, with the Cheviot, produced this 

 breed, which has the noteworthy characteristic of grow- 

 ing- quickly a maximum of meat and wool with a mini- 

 mum of food consumption. Little food is supposed to 

 satisfy the animal, and although hardy, its rapid grow- 

 ing capacity is better availed of on land and with shelter 

 that are good. The mutton has a large proportion of 

 fat. The ewes are more prolific and are better mothers 

 than the English Leicester. The Border Leicester ram 

 is popular for crossing purposes, and produces excellent 

 lambs, which, however, are not such an even or sym- 

 metrical lot as those out of the English Leicester ram. 



