British Breeds of Sheep 65 



wooled sheep, adds to an appearance of size which is 

 fully justified by the weight of the frame. 



Mutton qualities. — The Cotswold is a large pro- 

 ducer of mutton, and, as is to be expected in such 

 cases, the quality of it cannot be equal to that of the 

 smaller breeds. At Smithfield Fat Stock Show, they 

 have made a good record for rate of gain, but this 

 does not of necessity make a good carcass. In the 

 lamb class in 1882 the prize pen averaged .75 pound 

 per head daily ; and in 1888, averaging 288 days old 

 and with an average weight of 184 pounds, the daily 

 gain per head was .64 pound. In the class for 

 wethers over 12 months and under 24, the first prize 

 pen and cup winners averaged 660 days old and 

 weighed an average of 311 pounds, making the daily 

 gain .47 pound per head. In 1889, a pen was shown 

 that averaged 270 days old, average weight 205 

 pounds, making the daily gain per head .76 pound, 

 which is unusually high. Over three-quarters of a 

 pound per head daily is an exceptionally high rate 

 of gain for lambs, no matter how they may have 

 been pampered. 



Wool-Production. — The Cotswold is a heavy 

 shearer, the average fleece being about 12 pounds in 

 unwashed condition. The wool grades as coarse 

 combing, as it is rather coarse in fiber, but also long 

 and strong. A fully matured ram representative of 

 this breed will usually shear over 20 pounds of un- 

 washed wool. The fleece is inclined to become cotted 



