WELSH SHEEP. MERINO SHEEP IN ENGLAND. 127 



Oxfordshire Sheep, are so frequently the successful candi- 

 dates for prizes offered for the best long-wooled sheep at 

 some of the principal agricultural meetings or shows in the 

 kingdom. The quality of the mutton is considered superior 

 to that of the Leicester, the tallow being less abundant, with 

 a larger development of muscle or flesh. We may, there- 

 fore, regard this breed as one of established reputation, and 

 extending itself throughout every district of the kingdom." 



WELSH SHEEP. 



Little can be said of the welsh sheep to interest the 

 American wool-grower. The primitive breeds are of two 

 kinds — mountain and valley sheep ; the former producing a 

 short fine wool, and the latter a coarse fleece with medium 

 length of staple. 



Ellis, the ancient author of the " Shepherd's Sure Guide," 

 says — " I am now come to write on the hardiest sheep there 

 are for living in a cold country, and any where else, on that 

 short bite of grass where a large sheep would pine and 

 starve ; but they are not the choice of many, because they 

 are apt to straggle and run away. They are a small, short, 

 knotty sheep, that come from the poorest living, and thrive 

 and fatten quickly for the butcher, and become the sweetest 

 of mutton, particularly for a private family's uses, who de- 

 light to eat the best and finest sorts." The ewes of this 

 breed average about 8 lbs. to the quarter, and the wethers 

 10 lbs, when at three years old. The mutton is particularly 

 well-flavored, and in the months of October and November, 

 commands a much higher price than that of other breeds of 

 larger size. A considerable quantity of Welsh mutton finds 

 its way to the London market. 



Since the introduction of turnip husbandry, the cross of 

 the Leicester has been tested, and in many parts of the val- 

 ley regions more productive of herbage than others, it has 

 succeeded ; but the Cotswold, from greater natural hardihood, 

 has contested the ground with the Leicester, and with mark- 

 ed superiority over its formidable competitor. 



MERINO SHEEP IN ENGLAND. 



George the IIL was distinguished as an ardent promoter 

 of agriculture, and determined in 1787, to make a fair trial 

 of this renowned breed ; and accordingly a few were ordered 

 and placed on his farm at Kew. They were selected in Es- 



