BAKEWELL'S METHOD 



151 



first animal breeder to make deliberate use of in-and-in breeding. 

 Instead of selling rams he let them for a season. This gave him an 

 opportunity to call in and use those whose progeny favorably im- 

 pressed him. In his hands the old Leicester sheep was changed to 

 a broad-backed, thick-fleshed, easy-feeding, early-maturing breed 

 with much less waste in dressing and more quality in their mutton. 

 But in getting these things it is said that he lost some of the con- 



FIG. 101. English Leicester ram. First prize R.A.S.E., 1904, bred by E. F. Jordon, 

 England. The English Leicester has a small tuft of wool on the forehead. The long wool 

 lies in ringlets or "pirls." (From "Farm Livestock in Great Britain," by Wallace). 



stitution, prolificacy, milking qualities, and heavy shearing qualities 

 characteristic of the old sort. 



Because of his achievements in improving sheep, Long Horn 

 cattle, and other stock, Bakewell became a noted person, and visitors 

 from various parts of England and Continental Europe came to his 

 place to see his flocks and herds. He was genial and charming as a 

 host, but evidently he was not fond of telling how he got his results, 

 for little is known of the various steps taken in changing the old 

 sheep into the New Leicester breed. What he accomplished, how- 

 ever, was plainly evident and enough of the principles and methods 



