DOMESTIC BREEDS OP SHEEP. 29 



Bad weather for several years reduced the lamb crop of the former 

 breed to such an extent that the Black-face soon regained its pres- 

 tige, because of its greater hardiness in this respect. The breed is 

 now extensively used in cross breeding upon mountain sheep. 

 Cheviots are also being bred in a limited way in Iceland, and they 

 have been introduced into New Zealand. 



Cheviots were brought into Canada about 1825. Mr. Robert 

 Youngs, ol Delphi, Delaware County, N. Y., made the first impor- 

 tation into the United States in 1838. Another importation into 

 the same county followed shortly afterwards, and other shipments 

 were brought over, but active interest-did not manifest itself in the 

 breed until about 1880. 



The Cheviot flocks of this country are entirely confined to the 

 farming sections. New York, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Penn- 

 sylvania, and Ohio have the largest numbers. New York has proba- 

 bly as many as all the other States named. 



Some years ago it was thought that the Cheviot would prove popu- 

 lar upon the range, but for some reason, probably the fact that they 

 do not herd well, they have failed to establish a foothold in the West. 



The Cheviot is a rather small, hardy breed oi pronounced grazing 

 qualities. Among their native hills they graze the year around, 

 pawing aside the snow to find the grass, if necessary. Mature rams 

 in breeding condition should weigh from 175 to 200 pounds and ewes 

 from 140 to 160 pounds. The stylish carriage and comely manner 

 of the Cheviot has characterized them as the "ladies'" sheep. 



The head and ears are free from wool and covered with short, 

 white hair. There is a distinct ruff or collar about the neck. The 

 legs are woolless. 



The mutton is of good quality and the wool is exceptionally white, 

 containing little yolk or oil, and averages about 5 inches in length. 

 The fleeces are, however, rather light, rams producing from 7 to 11 

 and ewes from 6 to 9 pounds, as a rule, of quarter blood combing 

 wool. The fertility of the Cheviot is quite high, twins being fre- 

 quent, and the ewes are very good mothers. 



Wonderful improvement has been made in American-bred Cheviots 

 during the past few years. Owing to this fact very few Cheviots 

 have been imported. 



Like most of the mountain breeds, the Cheviot is light in the fore- 

 quarters. They are also subject to the criticism of not being very 

 well fleshed over the back and shoulders. " Scurs " or stubs of horns 

 and reddish or tan colored hair upon the face sometimes crop out in 

 inferior individuals. 



The Cheviot Sheep Society of Great Britain was founded in 1891. 

 In America the American Cheviot Sheep Breeders organized in 1891. 

 The National Cheviot Sheep Society was founded in 1894, there 



