DOMESTIC BREEDS OF SHEEP. 47 



extra long staple being produced that sells for as much as $1 a 

 pound. However, the amount of this trade is limited. 



In early maturity and fecundity the Lincoln is similar to the other 

 long-wool breeds. None of them have these qualities developed as 

 strongly as the Down breeds. The ewes give a fair amount of milk. 



The Lincoln Longwool Sheep Breeders' Association of England 

 was organized in 1892. The National American Lincoln Sheep 

 Breeders' Association was founded at Lansing, Mich., in 1891. They 

 have registered up to January 1, 1914, 26,122 head, and the secretary 

 is now located at Charlotte, Mich. The following standard and scale 

 of points has been adopted: 



STANDARD AND SCALE OF POINTS OF LINCOLN SHEEP. 



Points. 



Constitution: Body deep, back wide and straight; wide and full in the thigh; 

 bright, large eyes; skin soft and of a pink color 25 



Size: Matured rams not less than 250 pounds when in good condition; matured 

 ewes not less than 200 pounds 10 



Appearance: Good carriage and symmetry of form 10 



Body: Well proportioned, good bone and length; broad hind quarters; legs stand- 

 ing well apart; breast wide and deep 15 



Head: Should be covered with wool to the ears; tuft on forehead; eyes expressive; 

 ears fair length; dotted or mottled in color •. 10 



Neck: Medium length; good muscle; well set on body 5 



Legs: Broad and set well apart; good shape; color white, but some black spots do 

 not disqualify; wooled to the knees 10 



Fleece: Of even length and quality over body; not less than 8 inches long for 1 

 year's growth 10 



Quality of wool: Rather fine, long wool; strong, lustrous fiber; no tendency to cot. 5 



Total 100 



THE KENT, OR ROMNEY MARSH. 



The Romney Marsh sheep originated in the low-lying tract of land 

 bearing the same name in the county of Kent, in southeastern Eng- 

 land. The marsh is about 14 miles long and 10 miles broad. It is a 

 low, level, alluvial plain, and high tide at one time covered it, but 

 since then the sea has been held back by embankments. The exact 

 age of the old-type Romney is unknown, but it is supposed that they 

 roamed the marsh for at least several centuries. 



Like all other ancient breeds, the prototype of the modern Romney 

 lacked mutton form, symmetry, and quality. They were, however, 

 very hardy and produced a heavy fleece of long wool. They were 

 good grazers and rarely received any feed other than pasture through- 

 out the year. 



The infusion of Leicester blood, that probably took place, as in all 

 the longwool breeds, was not very successful in the Romneys, espe- 

 cially where the proportion of the foreign blood was at all large. 

 While it improved the form, the quality, and the early-maturing 



