190 THE SHEEP. 



in it. They are kept on turnips, vetches, hay, and the grasses 

 and clovers, and disposed of in the fat state at from a year 

 and a-half to two years old ; and within these last seven or 

 eight years, the practice has been introduced of bringing them 

 to market at twelve or fourteen months old. At the latter 

 age they weigh from 15 to 24 Ib. the quarter ; and, when from 

 a year and a-half to two years old, their medium weight is 

 calculated to be from 20 to 30 Ib. the quarter. 



The Cotswold Breed, after having long yielded to the pro- 

 gress of the more highly cultivated New Leicester, has of 

 recent years been attracting the attention of general breeders, 

 and is now contesting the ground with the Leicester in various 

 districts of England and Wales. The qualities that in an 

 especial degree recommend it to notice are, its hardiness and 

 property of thriving under common treatment, and the faculty 

 of the females of yielding numerous lambs, and supporting 

 them well. The breed is still far short of the New Leicester 

 in form, but it has been making continued advances to a more 

 perfect state, by the increased attention bestowed on selection 

 and general treatment. The system of letting Rams for hire 

 has been adopted on the large scale by some of the Cotswold 

 breeders ; and from the attention which this necessarily di- 

 rects to the rearing of superior males, it cannot be doubted 

 that the Cotswold Breed will be yet further extended and 

 improved. 



XXII. THE NEW LEICESTER BREED. 



The Breed of Sheep termed the New Leicester, is so named 

 from the county of Leicester, where it had its origin. It was 

 formed by Robert Bakewell of Dishley, whence it is likewise 

 termed the Dishley Breed. It was about the year 1755, that 

 Mr Bakewell began those experiments on the breeding of 

 animals, which led to such important results. His purpose 

 was to produce sheep exempt from the defects of the races 



