152 PRINCIPLES OF BREEDING. 



edly referred to in the preceding pages. It has quite 

 superseded the old breed of this name. Ilis aim was to 

 produce sheep which would give the greatest amount 

 of meat in the shortest time on a given amount of food, 

 and for early maturity and disposition to fatten, it still 

 ranks among the highest. The objections to the breed 

 for New England are, that they are not hardy enough 

 for the climate, and require richer pastures and more 

 abundant food than most farmers can supply. Its chief 

 value in such locations is for crossing upon ordinary 

 sheep for lambs and mutton. 



The CoTswoLDs derive their name from a low range 

 of hills in Gloucestershire. These have long been noted 

 for the numbers and excellence of the sheep there main- 

 tained, and are f;o called from Cote, a sheepfold, and 

 Would, a naked hill. An old writer says : — " In these 

 woulds they feed in great numbers flocks of sheep, long 

 necked and square of bulk and bone, by reason (as is 

 commonly thought) of the weally and hilly situation of 

 their pastures, whose wool, being most fine and soft, is 

 held in passing great account amongst all nations.'' 

 Since his time, however, great changes have passed 

 both upon the sheep and the district they inhabit. 

 The improved Cotswolds are among the largest British 

 breeds, long wooled, prolific, good nurses, and of early 

 maturity. More robust, and less liable to disease than 



