PROPERTIES 



159 



nostrils are black as in the Leicester, and so is the skin next to the 

 eye. The body skin is a deep, rich pink, approaching red in color. 



Properties. From its size and nature of fleece, one would judge 

 the Cotswold to be a lowland breed, but it is necessary to keep in 

 mind that it is a hill breed. In its native home and in similar 

 regions it is regarded as unusually hardy for a large, open-wooled 

 breed. It is better adapted to comparatively light stocking on short 

 pastures than to heavy stocking on a luxuriant plant growth. When 

 exposed to heavy rains its wool parts along the spine and allows 

 the water to reach the skin, thus causing colds and catarrhal 

 troubles. On this account Cotswolcls, although once common, have 



FIG. 107. Cotswold lambs on ranch of J. R. Allen, Draper, Utah. The Cotswold 

 ram is popular in the West, for crossing with Rambouillet ewes. The offspring carry heavy 

 fleeces of high commercial value and their wool withstands range conditions well. 



almost disappeared from the farms in eastern and central United 

 States. 



Like the Leicester, the Cotswold yields mutton of secondary 

 quality. It is often too fat, and the muscle fibers are long and 

 coarse. 



Cotswold ewes are fairly prolific, and since they yield a large 

 quantity of milk and are strongly developed in maternal instinct, 

 they are excellent mothers. The lambs are fairly strong at birth 

 and grow at a fair rate, but as a rule they do not become plump 

 and firm at an early age. If placed on a fattening ration late in 

 the autumn they make excellent gains at comparatively low cost. 



When Cotswolds are mated with Merinos the offspring are large, 

 hardy, and favorably regarded as producers of both mutton and 



