36 SHEEP FARMING IN AMERICA. 



size is but medium to small, but so compact 

 and thick-fleshed are these sheep and so close 

 to the ground that their weights greatly as- 

 tonish those who are unacquainted with the 

 breed. The Southdown has a straight back, a 

 thick, muscular neck, bespeaking vitality, ti 

 well sprung rib, giving a rotundity of form and 

 a well filled leg of mutton. The character of 

 the mutton is of the best, being fine-grained, 

 well marbled with fat, and lean and tender, 

 sweet and juicy. The wool is short, thick, 

 elastic, of excellent quality, though not so 

 abundant as in some breeds. Southdown s 

 are very vigorous, hardy, ambitious, good for- 

 agers, good feeders, always fat if given oppor- 

 tunity, more easily kept in health than some 

 breeds and the rams are excellent for cross 

 breeding, especially where early lambs are de- 

 sired. 



There are not so many breeders of South- 

 downs in America as the merit of the breed 

 would deserve. It is one of the easiest of 

 all breeds to maintain in high-class condition. 

 There is little tendency toward deterioration, 

 though there is great difficulty in bringing 

 about change or improvement in type. This 

 is no doubt owing in part to the fact that the 

 breed is absolutely pure, no admixture or in- 

 fusion of other blood having ever taken place. 

 Therefore, there is less variation of type and 

 it is easier to have a flock of Southdowns of 

 uniform appearance and character than of 

 most breeds. 



In Sussex the author has studied Southdown 



