SHEEP HUSBANDRY IN THE SOUTH, l4«.4 



coarse, long-legged, flat-ribLed variety, light in the fore-quaiter — shearino 

 a long, heavy, coarse fleece of w^ool. They were hardy, prolific breedera 

 and capital nurses. They were deficient in early maturity, and did not 

 possess feeding properties equaling those of the Down or New Leicester. 

 To a cross with the latter variety we owe the modern or improved Cots- 

 wold. Having had no personal experience with the breed,* I orefer 

 quoting the descriptions of the later standard English writers, to the task 

 of compilation. 



The following is from Spooner : t 



" The CotswnlJ is a large breed of sheep, with a long and abundant fleece, and the ewes 

 are veiy prolific and good nurses. Formerly ihey were bi-ed only on the liills, and fatted 

 ia the valleys, of the Severn and the Thames ; but with the inclosure of the Cotswold 

 Hills and die improveni«nt of theii- cultivation they have been reared and fatted iji the 

 same district. They have been extensively crossed with the Leicester sheep, by which 

 their size and fleece have been somewhat diminished, but their carcasses considerably ini- 

 proved, and their maturity rendered earlier. The wethers are now sometimes fattened 

 at 14 months old, when they weigh from 15 lbs. to 24 lbs. per quarter, and at two years 

 old increase to 20 lbs. or 30 lbs. The wool is strong, mellow, and of good color, though 

 rather coarse, 6 to 8 inches in length, and fi-om 7 lbs. to 8 lbs. per fleece. The superior 

 hardihood of the improved Cotswold over the Leicester, and tneir adaptation to common 

 treatment, together with the prolific nature of the ewes and their abundance of milk, have 

 rendered them in many places rivals of the New Leicester, and have obtained for them, 

 of late years, more attention to their selection and general ti-eatment, under which man- 

 agement still farther improvement appears very piobable. They have also been used in 

 crossing other breeds, and, as before noticed, have been mixed with the Hampshire Downs. 

 It is, indeed, the improved Cotswold that, under the tenii New or Improved Oxfordshire 

 Sheep, are so frequently the successiiil candidates for prizes offered for the best long-wooled 

 sheep at some of the piincipal agricultiu-al meetings or shows in the Kuigdom. The quality 

 of the mutton is considered supeiior to that of the Leicester, the tallow being less abundant, 

 with a larger development of muscle or flesh. We may, therefore, regard this breed as one 

 of estiiblished reputation, and extending itself diroughout every district of the Kingdom." 



Of the method of crossing between the Cotswolds and Leicester, Mr. 

 Vouatt remarks :| 



" The degiee to which the cross may be earned must depend upon the nature of the old 

 stock, and on the situation and character of the farm. In exposed situations, and soniov/hat 

 scanty pasture, the old blood shodd decidedly prevail. On a more sheltered soil, and on 

 land that will bear closer stocking, a greater use may be made of the Leicester. Another 

 circumstance that will guide the farmer is the object that he principally has in view. If he 

 expects to derive his chief profits from the wool, he will look to the piimitive Cotswolds ; 

 if he expects to gain more as a grazier, he will use the Leicester ram more lieeiy." 



Cotswold sheep of good quality have been imported into the United 

 States by Messrs. Corning & Sotham, of Albany, and are now bred by 

 the latter gentleman. I believe there were several earlier importations — 

 but of their dates or particulars I am not advised. 



The Cheviot Sheep. — Sheep of this breed have been imported into my 

 immediate neighborhood, and were subject to my frequent inspection for two 

 or three years. They had the appearance of small Leicesters, but were con- 

 siderably inferior in correctness of proportions to high-bred animals of that 

 variety. They perhaps more resemble a cross between the Leicester and 

 the t>ld " native " or common breed of the United States. Their fleeces were 

 too coarse to furnish a good carding wool — too short for a good combing one. 

 Mixed with a smaller lot of better wool, their this year's clip sold fur 29 

 cents per pound, while my heavier Merino fleeces sold for 42 cents per 

 pound. They attracted no notice, and might at any time have been 

 bought of their owner for the price of common sheep of the same weight. 

 I believe the flock was broken up and sold to butchers and others this 

 spring, after shearing. They were certainly inferior to the descrij)tion of 

 the breed by Sir John Sinclair, even in 1792, quoted by Mr, Youatt,|! and 



* With every breed previously described. ] have had ample pevsoual experience. I have merely sef^i 

 Cotflwold iiocks. t Q. v., p. 99. \ Q. v., p. 340. \\ Q. v., pp. 285, 280. 



