68 SOUTH DOWN SHEEP. 



sively imported by Mr. Thome of New York, Mr. Alexander 

 of Kentucky, Mr. Taylor of New Jersey, and others. It is 

 understood that the leading American importers left no sheep 

 in England superior to those purchased by them. 



Mr. Thome furnished me the following facts in regard to 

 his flock, in answer to inquiries which embraced all the 

 subjects touched upon by him : 



"My flock of South Downs consists of something over 200 

 head, exclusive of lambs. They are descended from fourteen 

 diflerent importations, principally from the flock of the late 

 Jonas Webb. Those not of his breeding were prize pens at 

 the Show of the Royal Agricultural Society of Enrfand, and 

 bred by Henry Lugar, of Hengrave, near Bury St. Edmunds. 

 The rams used have all been selected with the greatest care 

 from the celebrated Babraham flock. 'Archbishop' is the 

 one which is now being principally used. He was the first 

 prize yearling at the Royal Show at Canterbury in 1860, and 

 was chosen by myself from Mr. Webb's folds as the best 

 ram he then had. His price there was $1,250. He was 

 imported in December, 1860. 



"The breeding ewes average from 80 to 100 in number. 

 They usually lamb in March. The rate of increase for the 

 past six years has been 142 per cent. This year (1863) it has 

 been 168. As soon as the lambs straighten up, they are 

 docked, and the males that are not to be kept for service are 

 castrated. They are weaned at about four months old. The 

 ewe and wether lambs are given good, short pastures,* and 

 the ram lambs are folded on rape and kept there until all 

 stock is housed. Frost (unless perhaps a very severe one) 

 does not appear to injure the plant, and hence they can be 

 kept upon it longer than on grass. They are confined to this 

 feed, unless a few small ones may require grain, which some- 

 times is given to the lot. When put in winter quarters the 

 wethers have hay and roots : the others have in addition a 

 little grain. The breeding ewes are kept on hay until two 

 months before lambing, when they are given a small feed of 

 com which is soon increased to half a pint each per day. 

 When they lamb they are given turnips instead of grain. The 

 wethers [yearlings] are given good pasturage the next season 

 and feed is commenced as soon as the slightest frost makes its 

 appearance, half a pint of corn to each. When put in the 



* In another letter, Mr. Thome says : " My own experience has convinced me that 

 it is not advisable to put lambs upon new seeds, or after growth from new meadows, 

 where the growth has been very rank." 



