54 Sheep-Farming 



Appearance of Leicester. — In the first volume of 

 the American Leicester Record, the appearance of the 

 Leicester is described as that of a fine-looking animal, 

 white in face, eyes clear and prominent, ears well set 

 and free from blue. Sometimes black spots appear 

 on the ears, but are no disadvantage. Continuing 

 the description, he says : "The neck is well set into 

 the shoulder, full and broad at the base ; the shoulder 

 deep and wide ; breast full and broad, and no uneven 

 or angular formation where the shoulder joins the 

 neck or back; deep in flank; quarters long and 

 square. The legs are bare, being covered with hair 

 rather than wool, and stand wide apart with no loose- 

 ness of skin on them, bone fine and hard, legs of 

 moderate length, straight on back and broad, light 

 in belly, nearly as straight below as above (showing 

 light offal) noble bearing, style, and action. " It is 

 not intended to offer this as a description of all 

 Leicesters, but it is submitted rather as the ideal 

 type that the breeders are seeking. The Leicester 

 is invariably a strong-backed sheep carrying a thick 

 covering of flesh that is very likely to be soft. The 

 body in shape, compactness, and smoothness is 

 hardly surpassed by any breed of sheep, but in type 

 they are inclined towards legginess, an appearance 

 added to by the lightness of wool on the belly. 



Mutton qualities of Leicester. — The most valuable 

 feature associated with the Leicester as a breed is 

 their quick fattening qualities. They fatten readily 



