British Breeds of Sheep 67 



certain in transmitting their qualities to common 

 stock. If the conditions surrounding a common 

 flock are such that the fleece may be more open with- 

 out working injury to the thrift of the sheep, then the 

 use of a Cotswold ram for breeding purposes may 

 make an improvement in the fleece by increasing 

 the weight of it. And if size is desired, it can be 

 secured through the same source without detracting 

 from the vigor of the flock. 



The Lincoln (Figs. 16, 19, Pis. IV, V) 



The origin of the breed is obscure. As early as 

 1749, they are referred to as a sheep of the Fens of 

 Lincolnshire. An early description of this breed 

 describes them as ungainly animals, with a long, 

 thin carcass, thick and rough legs, large bones and 

 thick pelts, attaining a great weight but very slow in 

 maturing. Their chief merit at that time was their 

 wool, which was from 8 to 16 inches long, and their 

 fleeces weighed from 8 to 14 pounds. This feature 

 made them profitable to the lowland graziers, al- 

 though covering a slow-feeding, coarse-grained car- 

 cass of mutton. The same authority notes that 

 Young, fifty years previous, observed the Leicesters 

 were drawing the Lincolns from the poorer lands and 

 improving the latter breed by crossing, and this con- 

 tinued to such a degree that the old Lincolns were 

 scarcely to be found about the middle of the nine- 



