DOMESTIC BREEDS OF SHEEP. 13 



I. Constitution is the foundation: 



Shown by physical development, nutritive capability, good stomach, live 



weight, early maturity, form, and carriage; 

 By prepotency to fix the type and constitution on offspring; 

 By bone and strong frame, and a soft, loose, pink skin; 

 By face and eye, denoting health and vigor; 

 By well-set, sound teeth and mouth. 

 II. Mutton merits: 



Carcass heavy, broad, deep, long, with full and low thigh and flank, set on 



short, straight pillars. 

 Chest and bosom projecting, broad and deep, shoulders flat and broad, back 



level, ribs round, hips and loin broad. 

 Fleshy quarters, hams full and broad, gentle slope from dip to root of tail. 



III. Wool merits: 



Length and evenness of staple, 1\ to 3 inches-at one year's growth, density 



of wool plant to insure 20 pounds for rams and 10 to 12 for ewe fleeces. 

 Character and style of fleece, clear crimp with oily yolk. 

 Uniformity in fineness all over, prima secunda sortiment. 

 Covering of head, belly, arms, legs without kemp and jar. 

 Absence of coarse jar in fleece. 



IV. Characteristic appearance : 



Head broad on top, wide between ears, medium length. 



Horns curling, strong, standing in right angles at base. 



Eyes bright, clear, lids not impaired by folds and wrinkles that press on the 



lid and cause inflammation. 

 Lachrymal glands without signs of inbreeding and inflammation. 

 Nostrils large, free from pressure by wrinkles. 

 Ears thick, large, and velvety. 

 Nose covered with a cream-colored velvety coat. 

 Neck short and broad, denoting vigor, with or without folds, my fancy being 



a belle cravatte. 

 Dewlap well out in apron, covered with dense wool. 

 Scrotum well wooled to the end. 

 Pillars straight, wide apart, in good angle behind. 



THE SOUTHDOWN. 



The Southdown is probably the oldest breed of sheep in existence. 

 They have been commented upon for centuries by prominent agri- 

 cultural writers, and there is a distinct record more than 200 years 

 old that refers to this breed and cites an incident where several 

 flocks were entirely destroyed by a disease resembling smallpox. 



The breed originated in the low range of hills in southeastern 

 England, known as the South Downs, which extend through the 

 counties of Kent, Sussex, Hampshire, and Dorsetshire. 



The progenitors of the Southdowns were known as the Sussex 

 sheep, and they were small, ill-shaped, horned sheep, having dark 

 faces and lacking quality. Their fleeces were light but of good 

 quality, and they had exceptional development of the leg of mutton. 



The modern development of the Southdown has undoubtedly 

 been effected entirely through selection. It is said that attempts 

 were made to introduce new blood, but these have been unsuccessful. 



