SOUTH DOWN SHEEP. 



103 



breeder, Mr. John ETlma.n. He says, "This breed was for- 

 merly of a small size, and far from possessing a good shape, 

 being long and thin -in the neck, high on the shoulders, low 

 behind, high on the loins, dow^ on the rumps, the tail set 

 on very low, perpendicular from the hip bones, sharp on the 

 back, the ribs flat, not bowing, narrow in the fore-quarters 

 but good in the leg, although having big bone." 





SOUTH DOWN. 



The improvement effected by Mr. Ellman,' was noi 

 from any admixture of foreign blood, " for even the cross 

 with the Leicester was a failure, and the promised advan- 

 tages to be derived from the Merinos were delusive."* It 

 resulted, mainly, from the practice of the true principles of 

 breeding ; a system of choice selection from male and fe- 

 male. The introduction of turnip husbandry was another 

 very important agent, which essentially promoted thrift and 

 size, and an early development of form. " They are now," 



» Youatt. 



