THE LEICESTER 



433 



and easier fattening quality than where Merino rams are used. 

 In France a type of Leicesters termed DisJilcy Merinos has 

 been developed by using Leicester rams on a Merino ewe foun- 

 dation, these sheep now showing little of Merino character. 

 Robert Taylor of Nebraska has used Leicester rams on middle- 

 wool ewes on the western range with signal success. In both 

 1903 and 1904 Mr. Taylor won the grand championship at the 

 International Live Stock Exposition on car-load show of lambs, 

 these being a cross of Leicester rams on grade Hampshire ewes. 

 In fact, it is conceded that 

 cross-bred Leicester mutton is 

 produced more economically, 

 matures earlier, and is of bet- 

 ter quality than the pure-bred, 

 although the size is somewhat 

 lessened. In this connection 

 it is interesting to note that 

 the Leicester as improved by 

 Bakewell has served a most 

 important part in improving 

 some of the British breeds in 

 the days of early development, 

 its blood being freely used on 

 the Southdown, Cotswold, 

 Lincoln, Shropshire, and 

 Hampshire foundations. 



The Leicester as a wool producer yields a fine grade of long 

 wool. Randall states that after the first shearing it will average 

 about 6 inches long and will weigh 6 pounds. Professor Shaw 

 states that the fleece should average from 9 to 1 1 pounds 

 weight, while the 1894 edition of the Complete Grazier, by Youatt, 

 places it at an average of 7 pounds. George Benedict of 

 Nebraska, a breeder of pure Leicesters, in 1893 wrote, "The 

 average weight of fleeces for ten years is n pounds." The 

 fleece of the Leicester being naturally fine and open weighs 

 comparatively light. If grade Leicester ewes are bred to middle- 

 or fine-wool rams, the fleece of the offspring is commonly finer, 

 more compact, and shears heavier than that of the pure-bred. 



Fig. 202. A very choice Border Leicester 

 ram bred by Mr. Smith of Leaston, 

 Scotland. Sold in 1901 for £\zz 

 ($600). Photograph from the owner, 

 J. R. C. Smith 



