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THE LEICESTER SHEEP. 



in possession of the Southdown Sheep, which is often crossed successfully with some local 

 breed. Indeed, this polled or hornless variety has superseded every horn-bearing 

 breed throughout the kingdom, whenever it can find a habitable locality. In Scotland 

 and elsewhere, the Southdown would not be able to live, as it is of too delicate a nature 

 to withstand the severity of the terrible highland winter ; so that the original horned 

 breed still holds its place. 



The Wiltshire Sheep have lost their horny armatures by continual crossing with the 

 Southdown, and the result is that a remarkably fine variety has been produced, possess- 

 ing greater dimensions, a lighter color, and a finer fleece. 



OWING to the very great number of the domestic varieties of the Sheep, amounting 

 to nearly thirty distinct breeds, it will be impossible to give more than a mere outline 

 of the most important among them. An example of the long-wooled variety is found 

 in the LEICESTER SHEEP, under which general title are grouped six or eight sub- 

 varieties of the same breed. This animal favors the low-lying level pasturages of the 

 midland counties, and is not so fond of elevated spots as the Welsh and Southdown. 



LEICESTER SHEEP. 



The most celebrated breed of Leicester Sheep is that which is known as the Dishley 

 breed, and which was developed by the persevering energies of a single individual 

 against every possible discouragement. Mr. Bakewell, seeing that the whole practice 

 of Sheep-breeding was based on erroneous principles, struck out an entirely new plan, 

 and followed it with admirable perseverance. The usual plan in breeding the old 

 Liecester Sheep was to obtain a large body and a heavy fleece. Mr. Bakewell, how- 

 ever, thought that these overgrown animals could not be nearly so profitable to the 

 farmer as a smaller and better proportioned breed ; for the amount of wool and flesh 

 which was gained by the larger animals would not compensate for the greater amount 

 of food required to fatten them, and the additional year or eighteen months during 

 which they had to be maintained. 



His idea was, that three extra pounds of wool are not so valuable, as ten or twelve 

 pounds of meat, and that when the expense of keeping and feeding a Sheep for eighteen 

 months is taken into consideration, the balance is certainly on the wrong side. He there- 

 fore set himself to improve the flesh, letting the wool take care of itself at first, and 



