34 BULLETIN 94, U. S. DEPARTMENT OP AGRICULTURE. 



The ewes usually drop but one lamb, but they are excellent mothers. 

 The mountain flocks are usually brought down to the lowlands from 

 November until April. 



About 70 head of Welsh Mountain sheep have been imported to this 

 country by the Beach estate, of Elmwood, Conn. These sheep were 

 brought over in March, 1902. This is the only flock in the country 

 at the present time. They seem to have given satisfaction to their 

 owners, who report that the lamb crop averages about 130 per cent, 

 that the average weight of fleece is 4J pounds, and that the mutton 

 is of the choicest meat produced. Fair quality of wool grades quarter 

 blood combing. 



The Welsh Mountain Sheep Breeders' Association of Great Britain 

 organized in 1905, and the} r published the first volume of their flock 

 book the following year. There is no American association. 



THE EXMOOR HORN SHEEP. 



The Exmoor Horn is another old breed and have ranged the 

 Exmoor and Brendon Hills for centuries. The Report of the Agri- 

 culture of Devon, 1808, describes them as being extraordinarily 

 hardy and very active in searching for food. They were also said 

 to have been narrow and flat sided in the early days, and some indi- 

 viduals were polled. 



Youatt, 1837, says that the breed owes much to the cross with the 

 new Leicester with respect to increased size, heavier fleece, and 

 earlier maturity. 



In 1844, the Exmoor Horn and the Dartmoor were reported as the 

 principal mountain breeds of the West of England. The Exmoor 

 was somewhat the smaller of the two, and the rams were distinctive 

 in having a beard much resembling that of a goat. These sheep 

 have been exhibited at the Royal, Bath and West of England, Somer- 

 set, and Devon County shows for a great many years. In a report 

 of the Bath show in 1860 the breed was greatly admired for their 

 symmetrical proportions, quality of flesh and wool, and for their 

 adaptability to mountain districts. In Somerset and Devon Coun- 

 ties, the sheep are commonly raised upon the mountains and removed 

 to the lowlands for fattening purposes. 



In 1910, Wm. Cooper & Nephews imported a ram and three ewes 

 of this breed for Frances Evans, Sugar Grove, 111. The next year 

 they imported eight yearling ewes and a ram for the same person. 

 Other importations have followed. 



The Exmoor is a small, white-faced, horned breed, noted for its 

 activity and hardiness. The body presents a rotundity of form very 

 pleasing to the eye. They much resemble the Southdowns, both in 

 build and easy fattening qualities. They are, however, a trifle larger 

 and carry a heavier fleece, especially upon the belly. 



