Sm:i:r-RAisi\<; IN liiuTisii COLUMBIA. 



WEIGHTS OF SHEEP AND FLEECES. 



CLASSIFICATION BASED ON ALTITUDE. 



Lowland Breeds Cotswold, Leicester, Lincoln, and Romney Marsh. 

 Upland Breeds Merino, Rambouillet, Southdown, Suffolk, Hampshire. Shrop- 

 shire, Oxford Down, Ryeland, Tunis, Dorset, and Wensleydale. 

 Mountain Breeds Black-faced Highland and Cheviot. 



THE SOUTHDOWN. 



This being probably the oldest breed of sheep in existence, it seems fitting that 

 it should be dealt with first. The breed originated in a low range of hills in South- 

 eastern England, known as the South Downs. The ancestors of the Southdown sheep 

 of to-day were small, ill-shaped, horned sheep with light fleeces, but with an extra 

 well-developed leg of mutton. Constant selection and breeding from only the best 

 rams has made this breed what it is to-day namely, the mutton sheep par excellence. 

 The Southdown, moreover, has been widely used in the development of nearly all 

 the other medium-wool breeds. 



The Southdown is the smallest of the mutton breeds, but romarkably compact. 

 In typo niid quality they are the mutton ideal. They are called " the big little 

 sheep " on account of their deceptive weights. This breed has captured the majority 

 of the prizes in the annual carcass competitions at Chicago. 



The breed is noted for its early-maturing and easy-keeping qualities. These 

 small shoo]) will thrive on pasture that would be insufficient for larger breeds. They 

 are a short-pasture sheep. Hence if given very liberal feeding there is danger of 

 them getting too fat to breed. The ewes are fairly prolific, but not equal to the 

 best. The faults of the breed are that they are small and the fleeces light. How- 

 ever, the wool is of extra-good quality for a medium-wool breed. 



The colour of the face may be brown or grey or mouse colour. The forehead 

 and cheeks should be well woolled. 



