British Breeds of Sheep 83 



loin, the whole covered with firm flesh ; flanks, deep 

 and full; rump, wide, long, and well turned; tail, 

 large and set on almost level with chine; thighs, 

 full, well let down, with deep wide twist, insuring 

 a good leg of mutton; legs, a mouse color and 

 'outside the body'; the whole of which should be 

 covered with a flne, close, even fleece down to the 

 hocks and knees and right up to the cheeks, with 

 full foretop, but there should be no wool around the 

 eyes or across the bridge of the nose. The skin 

 should be a delicate and bright pink, the carriage 

 gentlemanly and the walk that of a thoroughbred." 

 In recent years. Southdown breeders are cultivating 

 the tendency to the growth of wool on the face. 



Production of mutton in the Southdown. — The dis- 

 cussion of early maturity usually discloses two com- 

 mon views of it, the one considering only the rate 

 of gain and the other the rapidity with which animals 

 become ready for market from the time of birth. 

 It is evident that it is possible for an animal to make 

 very rapid gains and yet not be finished for market 

 at any time. While the Southdown cannot surpass 

 some other breeds in rapidity of gain, yet in respect 

 to the dispatch with which they may be fitted for 

 market, they are among the leaders. The South- 

 down is so fine in quality and so smooth and level 

 in form, that they are ripe for market some time be- 

 fore the other breeds. At the Smithfield Club Show 

 in 1887, the Southdowns did not make as good a 



