82 Sheep-Farming 



Southdown. Combined with this, there is a level- 

 ness of top lines and a straightness of lower lines and 

 an association of these with symmetrical develop- 

 ment that makes the Southdown the model sheep 

 from the butcher's point of view. Careful breeding 

 for centuries has given the Southdown an evenness 

 of quality in all features and such a dearth of de- 

 ficiencies that they cannot be approached for true- 

 ness of type and an even balance in essential char- 

 acteristics. The true type of the Southdown is 

 strong in its compactness and even development 

 of carcass. An estimate of the Uve weight is in- 

 variably deceiving because of lowness of the body, 

 the solidity of the structure, and absence of coarse- 

 ness in any form. 



Description of ideal Southdown. — The following 

 description of the qualities of a good Southdown 

 appears in the English Southdown Flock Book : 

 "In a good Southdown we look for a head wide and 

 level between the ears with no sign of slug or dark 

 poll; eyes large, bright, and prominent; ears of 

 medium size, covered with short wool; face full, 

 not too long from eyes to nose and of one even mouse 

 color, not approaching black nor speckled with 

 white ; under jaw, light ; neck wide at base, strong 

 and good ; shoulders well put in, and top level with 

 back ; chest wide and deep, ' thick through the heart ' ; 

 fore flanks fully developed; ribs well sprung and 

 'well ribbed up'; back level with wide and flat 



