THE MUTTON BREEDS OF SHEEP 349 
of Teviotdale are we indebted for the first improvements 
in the breed. The monks of Melrose had large flocks, 
which were dispersed in the border fields. It was not till 
about 1750 that the border farmer gave much attention 
to the breed or accomplished anything in its improvement. 
Cheviots were taken to Canada early in the nineteenth 
century. In 1838, Robert Young, of Delhi, New York, 
made an importation, followed four years later by other 
importations to the same county. In 1845, they were 
imported into Wisconsin by T. J. Carmichael. Subse- 
quent importations have been made, but the breed did 
not make much progress in America prior to 1880. 
419. Description. — The Cheviot is of medium size, 
hornless, face and legs white, the body closely covered 
with wool of a soft fiber akin 
to the Down wools; but un- 
like the Downs, which are 
always likely to have more 
or less of a gray tinge to the 
wool, the Cheviot gives a 
pure white wool (Fig. 70). 
The head is bold and broad, 
and the fleece of snowy white- 
ness comes close up, forming almost a ruff about the face. 
The ribs are flatter than in either the Southdown or the 
Highland. It is a very active, hardy animal, with a 
bright eye and erect ears. Unfortunately it has a tend- 
ency to scatter rather than flock together. 
420. Uses of Cheviot sheep. — The Cheviot is remark- 
ably hardy, and can live on very poor grazing ; but, never- 
theless, it must have grass of some kind, and with it needs 
little else. It yields a good class of well-marbled mutton, 
that is not too fat and dresses a carcass of good weight. 
Fic. 70.— Cheviot ram. 
