36 BULLETIN" fH, L T . S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



In the fall of 1907 one ram and three ewes were brought over, and 

 three years later three more ewes were imported. They were crossed 

 with Soutlidowns and Shropshires, the ewes proving remarkably 

 good milkers and the lambs making rapid gains. They are exceptional 

 mothers, being better than the more common mutton breeds in this 

 respect. They are very fertile, producing many twins and triplets 

 and have averaged a very high percentage of lambs; namely, 155 

 per cent. This percentage has been obtained from a very small 

 number, hence it should not be overrated, as more extensive tests 

 may not result as favorably. 



The Southdown cross is said to have resulted in a very fine type 

 of mutton sheep, being larger than the Southdown and possessing 

 more spring of rib. 



This breed is sometimes known as the White-faced Shropshire. 

 The two breeds have considerable in common, and it is sometimes 

 claimed that Ryeland blood entered into the development of the 

 Shropshire. They are a hardy, compact breed, possessing great 

 spring of rib. They thrive upon scanty pasture and fatten readily. 

 They are claimed to be especially desirable for the production of early 

 lambs, as the offspring are usually fat when dropped, but they have 

 been criticized for this very property", as the carcass of a Ryeland, even 

 under 1 year of age, is said to contain too great a percentage of tallow. 



The head is a dull white color, covered with wool to the eyes and 

 having a strip on either side of the face. The breed is characteris- 

 tically strong at the juncture of the shoulders and neck. Mature 

 rams in breeding condition should weigh from 200 to 225 pounds 

 and ewes from 160 to 175 pounds. 



The Ryeland breed is rather attractive and should find admirers in 

 this country. 



The fleece of the new Ryeland is considered heavier than that of 

 the old prototype. The wool is of the combing class and resembles 

 that of the Oxford Down, good fleeces weighing from 10 to 12 pounds. 

 The quality is excellent, and this wool vies with that of the Dorset 

 for premier place at the Royal. Upon the American markets it would 

 usually grade as quarter and low quarter blood combing. 



THE KERRY HILL. 



The Kerry Hill is a Welsh breed of comparatively recent origin. 

 Their home is in the Kerry Hills, which extend eastward and westward 

 for 15 miles through the parish of Kerry, in Montgomeryshire. 

 The region around about is famous for its improved live stock, as 

 Shropshire sheep and Hereford cattle took form as breeds in 

 neighboring shires. 



The foundation breed was described in 1809 in the Agricultural 

 Survey of Wales as the only breed that produced perfect wool, the 



