172 WESTMORLAND AGRICULTURE, 1800— 1900 



Half-bred sheep or grey-faces are the product of the cross between 

 black-faced or Herdwick ewes and Border Leicester, Wensleydale 

 or Cheviot rams — though the latter cross is very little used in West- 

 morland. They have, for more than sixty years, formed one of the 

 most notable agricultural features of the county ; at nearly every 

 show prizes are offered for half-breds, so important is this class of 

 sheep. They form the mainstay of the breeding sheep on all the 

 lower and better class farms where a pure breed is not maintained, 

 and even on these farms a few half-bred ewes are generalty kept. They 

 axe also of the greatest importance to the fell sheep breeder, as it 

 is from the annual draft of his ewes that the supply is kept up, and 

 not only does he sell his draft ewes for this purpose but he usually 

 breeds a number on his own farm. These half-bred or grey-faced ewes 

 are again bred from for a second cross, being put to Border Leicester 

 and Wensleydale rams for this purpose ; and the progeny from these 

 again are usually put to down tups for early fat lambs. After having 

 two or three crops of lambs the half-bred ewes command a ready 

 market, and are eagerly bought up by buyers from outside the county 

 at remunerative prices at the great autumn fairs or now at the special 

 auction sales. 



The lambs of the Leicester-Herdwick cross have an extraordinary 

 aptitude to fatten early, they were sold during August and September 

 1872, up to 30/- each, but this was a very favourable season for sheep. 

 When put on turnips and given a httle corn 40/- to 50/- is a usual 

 selling price when they are fat, at the nearest auctions. Some farmers 

 keep them over till they have secured a clip of wool, which averages 

 7 to 8 lbs. at 1/6 per lb. in June, and then sell them clipped for 38/- 

 to 45/- each. 



At a sale in New Hutton in 1872, no one or two shear sheep 

 from Herdwick ewes by Leicester rams made an average of £3 5s. per 

 head. 



One or two shear grey-faced ewes usually bring from 30/- to 50/- 

 each. 



There is practically no difference in price in grey-faced wool — 

 however the sheep may be bred. 



Cheviots. — In the northern part of the county, on some of the 

 Ccistern fells, Cheviots have been introduced and kept in a pure state — 



