DOMESTIC BREEDS OF SHEEP. 37 



other Welsh breeds having more or less kemp. They had generally 

 white heads; large, woolly cheeks; white, bunchy foreheads; were 

 hornless; and had a beaver-like tail. 



In 1840, Thomas Halford says the sheep were larger and heavier 

 wooled than the pure Welsh sheep. The wool upon the body was 

 fin pi, but lower down it was so coarse that it was always separated 

 and sold at a lower price. Their faces and legs were often speckled 

 with dark spots. 



About this time rams were brought in from Knighton to use upon 

 the flocks. These were of the Clun Forest breed with a very slight 

 Shropshire cross. About 1855 the Kerry farmers ceased to use the 

 foreign blood, as they could secure better rams by exchanging among 

 themselves. 



The breed now is undoubtedly a distinct one. The type is well 

 fixed, and the sheep are quite uniform. It has been greatly improved 

 by the use of root crops, as has many others, but it can no longer be 

 spoken of as a mountain breed, in the sense that it is able to survive 

 without artificial feeding. This breed was first recognized as distinct 

 by the Royal Show at Lincoln in 1907. 



Outside of Montgomeryshire, registered flocks can be found in 

 Radnor, Hereford, Salop, Worcester, Durbright, and Cheshire. 

 The ewes are also quite extensively used in crossing with rams of the 

 Down breeds. The lambs produced are very popular for the fat-lamb 

 trade. The annual fair and sale held at various places under the 

 auspices of the breed association the last Friday in September is one 

 of the best sheep shows in Britain. As many as 8,000 sheep have 

 been exhibited at this fair. The breed is described as follows : 



They are of medium size and have a rather dense covering of 

 medium wool. They are broad of body, of considerable length, 

 lacking slightly in depth, but are low to the ground. They are quiet 

 and submit readily to folding. The mottled appearance of the face 

 is very characteristic, and the mottles are very clearly defined. 



In July, 1909, F. H. Neal, of Lucan, Ontario, Canada, imported 

 three yearling ewes and a ram of the Kerry Hill breed. The experi- 

 ment station of the University of Wyoming conducted some experi- 

 ments with these sheep, and they reported the breed as being vigorous 

 and hardy, but that they were light shearers and did not show evi- 

 dences of superior merit from the mutton standpoint. Fleeces 

 should weigh from 7 to 8 pounds and the wool grades quarter blood 

 and low quarter blood combing. 



The Kerry Hill Sheep Breeders' Association of Great Britain 

 published their first flock book in 1894. This organization has done 

 much toward placing the breed before the public. For a time the 

 book was not published, but in 1899 it again appeared. There is no 

 American association. 



