128 Sheep-Farming 



this description that he found in a state of neglect 

 was fast reverting to the breed of the country. 



This type of sheep in its native section seems to 

 have always been noted for its fecundity, which is 

 characteristic to-day as their distinguishing utilitarian 

 point. The active improvement of the Dorset came 

 somewhat later than that of the Leicester and the 

 Southdown ; although rams of these breeds were con- 

 siderably used in Somerset and Dorset, their use was 

 mainly for producing market stock and the breed of to- 

 day shows no evidences of indebtedness to other breeds. 



"In the first quarter of the nineteenth century, 

 when the higher price of Southdown wool induced 

 many flockmasters to keep that breed instead of the 

 native Dorset sheep, the breeders in West Dorset, 

 claiming faith in their Dorset sheep as the breeds 

 most suited for their locality, instead of giving them 

 up, set to work to improve them by selection of the 

 type desired, and at the same time to retain all their 

 good qualities. In this they were successful, the 

 dark color on the noses disappeared, the horns ceased 

 in great measure to grow upwards and backwards, 

 and as a rule curled round by the side of the face, 

 without rising above the head or inclining backwards. 

 Their fore quarters became heavier and thicker 

 through, the good qualities of both mutton and wool 

 were present, as well as those noted characteristics 

 of fecundity, hardiness, and early maturity."^ 



'Dorset Horn Sheep Breeders' Association Flock Book, Vol. I. 



