CHAP. I. 



LONG- WOOLS AND SHORT- WOOLS. 



475 



different soils, and the short-woolled breeds, that thrive upon the 

 bleakest hills, degenerated when removed into the rich pastures which 

 are alone capable of maintaining the long-woolled types. Within the 

 past fifty years, however, it has been found that by skilful assiduity and 

 care it is possible to combine as in the case of the Oxford Downs 

 the merits of both long-wools and short-wools in a distinct breed, 

 which while not perhaps so well suited on the one hand to range the 

 bleakest hills, or on the other hand to graze the fattest marshes, as 

 are breeds specially adapted for such situations, is yet perfectly at 



* 



Fig. 107. Welsh Mountain Ram. 



Winner of First Prize at the Jubilee Show of the Royal Agricultural Society at Windsor, 

 1891. The property of Mr. John Jones, Llandudno, Carnarvonshire. 



home under a very wide diversity of agricultural conditions, and unites 

 in a remarkable degree the excellences of both its progenitors. The 

 history of the origin of the Oxford Down breed is discussed subse- 

 quently (see page 490). 



THE LEICESTER SHEEP may first be noticed among the long-woolled 

 kind. There were originally three nearly distinct varieties : 



1. The Forest Sheep, which, though not confined to the open district 

 of Charnwood Forest, were probably the common-field stock and 

 original breed of the country. They were mostly polled, though some 

 had small horns. They were generally white, but sometimes grey- 

 faced, with legs of the same colour. 



2. The Old Leicester, probably descended either from the still more 

 ancient stock of Charnwood, improved by better feeding, or by crosses 

 with rams from the rich pastures of Lincolnshire, or from a large-boned, 



