CHAPTER II. 



Cbe proTninent Breeds of Sheep. 



In describing the different breeds of sheep we shall classify 

 them according to their fleece, as long, middle or short-wooled. 

 The long-wooled breeds are white-faced, somewhat coarse in flesh 

 and not so active as the shorter-wooled species. The long- 

 wooled breeds of sheep are English by origin. AVe find belong- 

 ing to this class the Lincoln, Kent, Cotswold, Leicester; also the 

 Devon long-wooled breeds. The first place on the list undoubt- 

 edly belongs to the Leicester, it being the first breed improved by 

 skilful selection and crossing. 



Leicesters and Border Leicesters. 



THE LEICESTEE SHEEP appears to have been a native 

 of Leicestershire and adjoining counties. For a considerable 

 period before it came under the genius of Bakewell, to whom be- 

 longs the honor of being the pioneer in the field of improvement 

 of all kinds of live stock. This man, who was an English farmer 

 li-^'ing at Dishley, Loughborough, Leicestershire. He recognized 

 the fact that the properties of parents may be transmitted to their 

 offspring until the type will finally become fixed. He was also 

 endowed with the gift of discernment, in being able to tell by an 

 animal's exterior and quality whether or not it possessed the 

 properties he desired to perpetuate. About 1755 Bakewell com- 

 menced on the improvement of the Leicester sheep, the result 

 being the formation of an animal somewhat smaller than the 

 original type, but thicker and deeper, more symetrical and better 

 adapted for fattening, combined with an earlier maturity. The 

 old Leicester breed was a coarse, large sheep, with an abundant 



