34 THE DOESET. 



Cbc Dorset. 



This is the oldest known breed of English sheep, having 

 been preserved unmixed from a very remote period, and are cer- 

 tainly the best of all the horned breeds. The Dorset has some 

 very valuable traits, the chief of which is fecundity and the' 

 ability to breed at an early season. Dorset ewes take the ram in 

 April, and yean in September. The lambs are then fit for the 

 Christmas market. The ewes make excellent nurses, frequently 

 bearing twins, and will rear a greater number of lambs than any 

 other breed of sheep. The Dorset horned-sheep is somewhat 

 larger than the Southdown; longer in the legs; face and legs 

 white, and the horns of both sexes of moderate size ; their frame 

 is more compact, the barrel rounder, and they are by no means 

 bad feeders. Mr. M. A. Cooper, Secretary of the Dorset Horn 

 Breeders' Association of America, writes about the breed as fol- 

 lows: "Dorsets were first introduced into America in 1885, but 

 little interest being taken in the breed until about 1890 to 1891, 

 when a few breeders in America united and formed an associa- 

 tion. Since 1891 importations have been made every year, till 

 at present they have been introduced into twenty-eight of the 

 different States. Two very large importations were made in 

 1897. The Dorsets are popular with breeders generally, the de- 

 mand exceeding the supply. The Dorset ewes are more correct 

 in their shape than many of the improved breeds, being straight 

 in the carcass, deep in the body, the rump large and round, the 

 leg full and well let down toward the shank. Losses in lambing 

 and barreness in ewes are rare; 150 to 160 lambs may usually be 

 calculated for every 100 ewes. The rams are being extensively 

 used in the "Western States for crossing purposes. The demand 

 for Dorsets increase every year, as their merits become known 

 to the flock master." The Dorsets are hardy, very quiet and 

 docile, readily adapting themselves to changes in surroundings, 

 and conditioiis. 



