166 THE SHEEP, 



hands of the principal Sussex breeders. But the change is 

 one which, in proportion as it may adapt the breed to a richer 

 country, may render it less suited to those more dry and 

 steril tracts over which it has been spread, and in which 

 hardiness and soundness of constitution, and the capacity of 

 subsisting on scanty food, are properties to be regarded as 

 much as the disposition to arrive at early maturity and fatten 

 quickly. Nevertheless, the past efforts of the Sussex breeders 

 to improve the breed, by rearing it in a more artificial con- 

 dition than is suited to it, have hitherto been eminently suc- 

 cessful in rendering it of more economical value. The earlier 

 improvers of this breed paid especial attention to the fineness 

 of the wool, which then bore a high price for the purposes of 

 the clothier ; but attention having been insensibly directed to 

 other properties, the staple of the wool became longer, and 

 the filaments less fine, and now, by changes in the demand, 

 from causes before adverted to, the relative value of this 

 kind of wool greatly declined ; and, in the cultivation of the 

 breed, the production of fine and delicate wool is everywhere 

 regarded as secondary to the properties of form, and the 

 value of the animals for food. 



The South Down Breed has spread over a great tract of 

 country, and either superseded the pre-existing varieties, or 

 been so mingled with them in blood, as to have modified all 

 their characters. But it is in an especial degree in the 

 countries of the chalk-formation, that it has been generally 

 established. It has superseded the ancient breeds of Berk- 

 shire, Hampshire, and Wiltshire ; and, extending into the 

 counties to the westward, has greatly circumscribed the 

 limits of the horned Dorsets. It has spread from the wastes of 

 Surrey to the heaths of Norfolk, displacing the ancient breeds, 

 or mixing with them, so as to obliterate their former distinc- 

 tions. It has been carried beyond the countries of the chalk- 

 formation, although in decreasing numbers. It has extended 

 into Herefordshire, and partially into Devonshire and the 

 lower parts of Wales, and northwards even to Westmoreland 



