CONTENTS. XV 



for a low country — former weight of fleece — present weight of tho 

 same — weight of quarters — serrations of the fibre — its diameter — wool 

 harsh — changed character — South Downs healthy — prices of Mr. 

 Elhnan's flock. 



Ryeland Sheep. Origin of name — their locaHty — weight of quarters 

 — fine fleeces — weight of the same — diameter of fibre — ^form of the 

 Ryeland. 



Dorset Sheep. Description of pure breed — fecundity of Dorset ewes 

 — failure of cross with Leicester — successful with South Downs — 

 their value near cities. 



Black-faced Sheep. Their locality — origin in dispute — description of 

 the old, and improved — quality of mutton — weight of quarters — their 

 hardiness of constitution. 



Cheviot Sheep. Remarks — locality of Cheviot breed — description of 

 pure breed — hardihood — when fit for the butcher — weight of quarters 

 — qualities of wool — its adaptation — Sir John Sinclair's description of 

 the ancient Cheviot — crossed with Leicester — result — extension of 

 the breed — Highland snow-storms. 



Shetland Island Sheep. Their situation — origin of the breed — 

 weight of quarters — weight of fleece — quality of the wool — price for- 

 merly — remarks by Youatt. 



Irish Sheep. Adaptation of Ireland for sheep — soil, climate, and her- 

 bage — character of native breeds — description of the same by Cully 

 — successful cross with New Leicesters — weight and character of 

 fleece — its uses 102 



CHAPTER VI. 

 BRITISH BREEDS. 



New Leicester or Bakeavell. Origin of the long-wooled sheep in 

 doubt — remarks — Old Leicester sheep — description of an improved 

 Leicester — time when Bakewell commenced their improvement — 

 means employed — his selections — extensive spread of improved Leices- 

 ters — propensity to fatten — early maturity — weight of quarters — 

 quality of mutton — not a favorite with the butcher — faults of the New 

 Leicester — quality and weight of the fleece — extensive cross with' 

 other breeds — cross with the Cheviot — Sir John Sinclair's opinion — in- 

 troduction of the breed into America. 



Teeswater Sheep. Origin of the name — description of the Old Tees- 

 water — very prolific — instance by Mr. Cully — weight of the fleece — 

 great success in crossing with the improved Leicester. 



RoMNEY Marsh Sheep. Locality of Romney Marsh — characteristics 

 of the old breed — weight of the fleece — the breed improved by cross 

 with Leicesters. 



Lincoln Sheep. Character of tlie pure Lincolns — were bred for the 

 fleece — general remarks — contest between the Leicesters and Lin- 

 colns — cross with the Leicester — the result — weight of the quarters 

 — weight of the fleece — character of the wool, and uses — diameter 

 of the fibre. 



Bampton Sheep. Where found and origin of name — description of the 



