154 WESTMORLAND AGRICULTURE, 1800— 1900 



any injury to the storm-resisting qualities of the fleece. After heavy 

 rains and strong winds in winter and spring, the wool of the fleece 

 is turned to almost black, as if di-enched with soot and water. This 

 discolouring of the wool is an indication of the sheep having sustained 

 a sudden and severe check in their thriving. As the weather improves 

 and the sheep begin to thrive, the blackness goes off and the fleece 

 resumes its natural colour. The weight of the fleece varies from 

 2^ to 3| lbs." 



In 1855 Professor Wilson describes them as being " without 

 horns and having generally speckled or mottled faces and legs, which 

 become greyish or white as the age of the animal increases. The 

 wool is coarse and open. On the shoulders and neck it becomes 

 matted and kempy." 



The description of Herdwicks given by H. H. Dixon in 1866 is 

 as follows : " The face and legs of the breed are speckled or rather 

 grey mottled, and become greyer and whiter with age. If the face 

 is grey, it should shade off to white towards the nose to suit the keen 

 Fell Dales critic. Tups have generally two or three curls to their 

 horns, and the absence of horn in a female is not a desirable sign. 

 The horns should be dark and ' slape,' not too small or too close, and 

 rising well out of the back of the head. The ears should be white 

 and sharp and stand well up. A good eye, a broad forehead with 

 a tuft on it and a rustiness about the poll, as well as wool up to the 

 ears, and a good ' heckling,' which in some tups looks like a lion's 

 mane. As wide as possible between the forelegs and with a broad 

 breast placed well forward. The knees should also be strong and 

 ' the bone thin to the fetlock and then a big white foot to follow.' 

 Well filled in behind the shoulders and round in the ribs, those with 

 fourteen ribs are preferred when they can be got. They should also 

 be straight on the hind-leg and well muttoned down to the ' camerals ' 

 or hocks, while the tail should be thick at the root and never want 

 cutting. The wethers four to five years old will average about 12 lbs. 

 a quarter, and the ewes from 8 to 9 lbs. The fleeces are improved 

 and weigh according to the severity of the weather from i^ lb. upwards. 

 Mr. Nelson's Newcastle prize five-year-old wether wool averaged 

 5I lbs. unwashed." 



A good description of the breed is given by H. A. Spedding in the 



