38 BULLETIN 94, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



THE LONK. 



To the Lonk belongs the distinction that its ancestors can not be 

 traced from time immemorial. Youatt, Lowe, and the other old 

 writers failed to mention it. Some claim to see in the Penistone 

 sheep mentioned by Youatt the present Lonk breed, and indeed 

 there seems to be some relationship, as the present Penistone breed 

 has characteristics similar to those of the Lonk. 



About 50 years ago "The Druid," a famous writer upon live-stock 

 subjects in Great Britain, wrote an account of this breed, which 

 seems to be the oldest in existence. 



The name Lonk is said to be derived from the coarse herbage 

 growing upon the moorlands of North Lancashire, West Riding, of 

 Yorkshire, and part of Derbyshire, of which places this breed is 

 native. It is also claimed that the term is a corruption of Lanca- 

 shire. The district about Clitheroe and Skipton is one of the breed's 

 special strongholds. 



The Lonk is a large mountain breed, somewhat resembling the 

 Black-faced Highland. It is heavier, longer, more upstanding, and 

 has a larger head. The fleece is shorter, denser, finer, and somewhat 

 heavier than that of the Black-face. 



The face and legs are black and white, the spots being very dis- 

 tinct. Brown is objectionable. There should be no wool upon the 

 face and legs, but a small tuft upon the forehead and a fringe upon 

 the hind legs. However, the wool comes up close behind the horns, 

 which are to be found in both sexes. Fleeces are reported from 4£ 

 to 1 1 pounds in weight. The wool grades quarter and low quarter 

 blood combing in America. 



This breed is said to be not as hardy as the Black-face, and when 

 used in crossing upon the latter decreased constitution resulted. 



Wm. Cooper & Nephews imported in 1908, for the Bitter Root 

 Ranch, at Hamilton, Mont., 50 ewes and 5 rams of this breed. In 

 1911 three more rams were imported for the same company. These 

 sheep are said to have done fairly well, but they are unsuited to 

 range conditions, as it is impossible to herd them. The above- 

 mentioned company disposed of their stock for this reason. 



The Lonk Sheep Breeders' Association and Flock Book Society 

 of England issued the first volume of their flock book in 1905. They 

 claim for the breed that it is especially adapted to mountainous 

 districts. There is no American association. 



THE SHETLAND. 



This breed, if it may be called one, comes from the Shetland 

 Islands, which are located northeast of Scotland. It is said that the 

 pure Shetland exists only upon the islands of Foula and Papa Stour. 

 They are a very small breed, weighing from 30 to 40 pounds when 



