92 THE SHEEP. 



been found to be with the Leicesters. That with the South- 

 downs produces very handsome Sheep, having perfectly black 

 faces and legs, and a close good fleece ; but they scarcely 

 attain the size of the Leicester crosses, and the latter ac- 

 cordingly are preferred for the special purpose for which 

 this species of breeding is designed. 



Seeing the large tract of country which is occupied by 

 this breed, it is of great importance toamprove it to the de- 

 gree to which it is susceptible. This, as in other cases, may 

 be done by due selection of the breeding parents, and by 

 rearing the animals under circumstances favourable to the 

 full development of their forms. By adopting this practice, 

 we have in every case the means of improving a breed of 

 Sheep. Adequate nourishment is essential to the enlarge- 

 ment of size ; and all the properties of form, which consist 

 with the character of the race, may be communicated and 

 rendered permanent by a due attention to breeding. The 

 wool of this breed being of small comparative value, the at- 

 tention of improvers may be mainly directed to the carcass. 

 By attending to the roundness of the trunk and breadth of 

 the chest, we not only produce animals which more readily 

 fatten, but which are more hardy ; for in the case of all 

 breeds, it is found that narrow-chested and flat- sided ani- 

 mals are less vigorous, and more subject to diseases, than 

 such as have the body round and the chest wide. 



It is painful, however, to state, that this breed, so widely 

 diffused, has been treated with comparative neglect. Vari- 

 ous breeders have distinguished themselves by their atten- 

 tion to the form of the animals, and have reaped the reward 

 in the superior character of their stock ; but, over the wide 

 tract of country which the breed occupies, it is far inferior in 

 economical value to that to which, by due attention, it might 

 arrive. Breeders would find it for their interest to procure 

 rams from the southern counties of Scotland, and from the 

 stocks of the breeders whose farms are good, and who have 

 paid the most attention to the character of their stock. 



