THE CHEVIOT 



419 



Cheviot ewes has been practiced for a great many years in the 

 border country, such half-breds having a comparatively high 

 value. Where half-bred ewes are bred to Leicester or Lincoln 

 rams they are termed "three-part -bred." Oxford Down rams 

 are also used on Cheviot ewes with success. Both of these 

 crosses produce very rapid-fattening lambs, giving a leaner and 

 better quality of flesh, dressing out 16 to 18 pounds to the 

 quarter at about 12 months old. Cheviot rams have not been 

 used extensively in crossing, but, when used on Merino grade 

 ewes, produce an easier- 

 fattening lamb of more 

 salable type. 



The Cheviot as a range 

 sheep is of peculiar char- 

 acter. This breed does 

 not flock in the ordinary 

 manner, each sheep mov- 

 ing about independently, 

 thus scattering to a con- 

 siderable extent. On the 

 Scotch hillsides one sees 

 no evidence of flocking, 

 such as the Merino ex- 

 hibits. There are but few 

 of these sheep on the 

 western range, but if 

 the natural hardiness of 

 the Cheviot could be combined with reasonable restriction of 

 movement, it would serve a valuable purpose to the ranchman. 



The distribution of the Cheviot is mainly in England, Scotland, 

 and North America. In a considerable territory in the border 

 country in Britain there are many large flocks, men counting 

 their holdings by thousands, this being the one breed in evidence 

 on these hills. Cheviots are chiefly bred in Roxburgh, Dumfries, 

 Peebles, and Sutherland counties, Scotland, and in Northumber- 

 land County, England. They are also bred to a small extent in 

 Ireland and have been exported to New Zealand. In Canada flocks 

 exist in Quebec and several other provinces, while in the United 



Fig. 196. A Cheviot ewe, a frequent prize 

 winner in 1903. Owned by Fred Hartman 

 of Indiana. Photograph by the author 



