454 



SHEEP 



exposure in winter in mountain regions where food is scarce ; 

 and also for its mutton, which is popular in the British market 

 because of its superior flavor and fine quality and grain. The 

 fleece is not very valuable, and on ewes averages 3^ to 4^ pounds 

 unwashed. 



Cross-bred or grade Black Faced Highland sheep meet with 

 favor in Scotland, giving a heavier fleshed type with the good 

 quahty of mutton of the pure-bred. Robert Wallace states that 

 the produce of a Black Faced ewe by a Leicester ram is called 

 a " cross " or " mule," and by a Cheviot ram a " half long." The 

 latter name is given because a Black Faced is sometimes termed 

 the " short " sheep and a Cheviot the " long " sheep. As ewes 

 these sheep of mixed breed are good milkers. 



The distribution of Black Faced Highland sheep is mainly 

 over the Highlands of Scotland and in a small degree on the 

 higher of the mountain regions of north England. Large num- 

 bers are bred in the Highlands, and this with the Cheviot 

 occupies most of the space at the Scotch shows. There is no 

 flock-book society to promote the breeding of this sheep. 



The special field for Black Faced Highland sheep in America 

 should be the mountain regions east and west, but more espe- 

 cially the higher sections of the lower Alleghanies, where grass 

 grows in abundance. The Cheviot, however, is almost equally 

 hardy and is far better suited to the American market. 



