SHEEP. 23 



supply of artificial nourishment for the down sheep 

 during the winter. What keeps the mountain sheep gene- 

 rally in low condition, is not so much the shortness of the 

 pasture during summer, as the almost entire want of food 

 in winter. The truth of this has been abundantly de- 

 monstrated by the experiments of EUman and his suc- 

 cessors with the down sheep. 



As soon as this sheep had a good winter regimen added 

 to its summer food, it was observed rapidly to acquire a 

 fuller development; and as, at the same time, by a careful 

 selection of reproducers, attention was directed to give it 

 as much as possible aptitude for early fattening, and that 

 perfection of shape which characterises the Dishley, the 

 Southdowns have at last become almost rivals of Bake- 

 well's race. At the present day, after seventy years 

 of skilful treatment, the Southdown sheep gives on 

 an average 80 to 100 Ib. net of mutton. They fatten 

 generally about two years old, and are sold after their 

 second clip.* Their mutton is considered superior to the 

 new Leicester ; their fleece, like their carcass, has doubled 

 in weight ; and as they are continued on the same summer 

 pasturage to which they were accustomed, they have re- 

 tained their primitive robust and hardy constitution. 



It is calculated that the downs of Sussex and neigh- 

 bouring plains feed now a million of the improved breed ; 

 and the race is not confined to its ancient limits, but is 

 widely spread to distant quarters, either as an entire sub- 

 stitute for local varieties, or to mix with, and remodel, 

 those by crossing. It has made its way wherever the soil, 

 not rich enough for the Dishley breed, is yet sufficiently 

 so to provide a proper quantity of winter food in addition 

 to good summer pasture. It predominates in all the dis- 

 tricts of lime formation, tends to displace the old breeds 



* We believe few males ever reach this age. J. D. 



