24 RURAL ECONOMY OF ENGLAND. 



of Berks, Hants, and Wiltshire, and is found again as far 

 north as Cumberland and Westmoreland. 



The history of the Cheviot sheep is not quite so bril- 

 liant as that of the Dishleys and Southdowns. Notwith- 

 standing, the breed is not less valuable than the others 

 inasmuch as it is a means by which every possible 

 advantage is obtained from cold and uncultivated regions. 

 Emanating from the mountains lying between the high 

 chains of England and the cultivated lands, like the 

 Southdowns it owes 1 its improvement to a supplement of 

 artificial nourishment during winter ; so far at least as 

 the wild district it inhabits permits. Besides, it has been as 

 much as any other the object of selections conducted with 

 great care, and its shape is now as perfect as can well be. 

 The improved Cheviot sheep fatten in their third year,'* 

 and yield on an average 60 to 80 Ib. of excellent meat. 

 Their fleece is thick and short. They spend even the 

 winter months upon their native mountains, exposed to 

 all the inclemencies of the seasons, and are seldom shel- 

 tered in folds. 



In England the Cheviots have scarcely been introduced 

 anywhere out of their native districts, excepting in the 

 most mountainous parts of Wales and Cornwall. In 

 Scotland, whither they were imported by Sir John Sin- 

 clair, they have spread widely. They commenced by 

 invading the Highlands of the south, and from thence, 

 following the line of the Grampians, have penetrated as 

 far as the extreme north, where they increase rapidly. 

 Everywhere in these high and stormy regions they dispute 

 the ground with another still wilder race the black-faced 

 sheep of the heather which by degrees leave to the new- 

 comers the best walks, in order to take refuge upon the 

 wildest summits. 



* Many now in their second. J. D. 



