LESSER KNOWN BREEDS OF SHEEP 385 
475. Romney Marsh sheep. By John A. Craig. — 
This breed takes its name from the district known as 
Romney Marsh in the counties of Kent and Sussex, in 
the south of England, which has led also to its being spoken 
of as the Kent breed. 
The Romney Marsh (Plate XII) may be said to be one 
of the largest of the lowland breeds, being surpassed in 
weight only by the Lincoln. It has a broad, white face, 
and most frequently a tuft of wool on the forehead. It 
does not have horns. The native or original stock of the 
breed was large and coarse, but it is likely that the in- 
fusions of Leicester and Lincoln blood added both to its 
weight and improvement of appearance. The type is long 
and low, with comparatively thick legs and feet, and a 
strong-boned frame. The wool is long, comparatively 
fine, and the weight of the fleece from six and one-half 
pounds upward. 
The special utility of the breed is its adaptability to 
low-lying lands which produce luxuriant feed, and will 
stand heavy stocking. The Romney Marsh may be run 
more thickly on such ground than any other breed, and 
continue thrifty. Under such conditions, it attains a 
large size and heavy weight, and the records of Smith- 
field and other British shows bear out the statement that 
it is rarely surpassed in the latter by any breed excepting 
the Lincoln. 
476. Ryeland sheep (Fig. 79). By W. L. Carlyle. — 
The Ryeland breed of sheep originated many years ago 
in the midland counties of England. Its name comes 
from the Ryelands of Hereford, a poor upland district. 
The breed originated by crossing Southdown and Leices- 
ter rams on the old Morfe Common type of sheep, from 
which the Shropshire breed originated. In its blood 
2c 
