414 SHEEP INDUSTEY OP THE UNITED STATES 



and ■whioli give good carcasses .it from 8 to 12 weeks of age. The re.iring and feed- 

 ing of such is a very profitable business. 



The Cheviots introduced into l^ew York in 1838 and maintained in 

 great purity are now attracting some attention, not only in the State 

 but beyond it. Many small flocks have lately been formed, and breed- 

 ers believing in them -who think " they are here to stay " have organ- 

 ized the Cheviot Sheep-Breeders' Association and adopted the follow- 

 ing: 



Scale of points. 



Blood. — Pure bred from one or more importations from Scotland 10 



CoxSTiTOTiON AND QUALITY. — Indicated by the form of body ; deep and large in 

 breast, and through the heart ; back wide and straight, and well covered 

 with lean meat; wide and full in the thigh; deep in flank; skin soft and 

 pink in color ; prominent eyes, healthful countenance 25 



Size. — In fair condition, when fully matured, rams should weigh not less than 

 175 pounds, ewes 135 pounds (when bred in America. Imported stock, rams 

 125 to 150 pounds, ewes 100 to 125 pounds) 10 



General appearance. — Good carriage ; head well up ; elastic movement ; show- 

 ing symmetery of form and uniformity of character throughout 10 



Body.- — Well proportioned; small bone; great scale and length; well finished 

 hind quarters; thick back and loins ; standing with legs well placed outside; 

 breast wide and prominent in front; tail wide and well covered with wool. 10 



Head. — Long and broad, and wide between the eyes; ears of medium length 

 and erect; face white, but small black spots on head and ears not objection- 

 able; straight or Roman nose; end of nose dark (but never smut nose on 

 top with black or brown); no tuft of wool on head 10 



Neck. — Medium in length ; thick, and well placed on the shoulders 5 



Legs and I'EET. — Short legs, well set apart ; color white ; no wool on legs ; fore 

 legs round, hind legs flat and straight ; hoofs black and well shaped 5 



Covering. — Body and belly well covered with fleece of medium length and 

 good quality 10 



Quality of wool. — Medium ; such as is known in market as half combing 

 wool 5 



Total 100 



The Cheviot is a mountain sheep, extremely hardy, of quiet habits, 

 and producing a wool always in demand. In the mountain parts of the 

 State they are found to stand cold weather remarkably well, and it is 

 believed that they would form a valuable addition to the live stock in- 

 terests of the mountain regions of the Alleghanies and in Idaho, Mon- 

 tana, and Wyoming. 



The rams at 3 years old weigh about 245 pounds, and yield 8 pounds 

 of wool, though cases are on record where they have run from 250 to 

 276 pounds and gave fleeces from 9 to 14 pounds. The ewes weigh 

 about 175 pounds and give 6 to 8 pound fleeces. 



A sheep that has some hold on popular favor and many enthusiastic 

 admirers, is the Hampshire Down. These sheep are bred in England 

 on the chalk formations of Berkshire, Hants, Wilts, and Dorset, and 

 occasionally are found in Sussex and Surrey. Youatt says the black- 



