46 



LEICESTER SHEEP. 



which exists between the form of an animal and its physical 

 tendencies, he sought to cross his sheep with such breeds as he 

 considered would be most likely to insure those points in the 

 animal frame which were defective in the old breed, and thus 

 to introduce an aptitude to lay on the largest possible amount 

 both of flesh and fat in the shortest space of time, and at the 

 least expenditure of food. The fleece too was not forgotten, 

 as that would necessarily share in the general improvement of 

 the animal. ******* 



"In order to obtain a permanent character to his breed, 

 after he had by continued crossing secured aU those points 

 he considered desirable, Bakewell carried on his breeding 

 with his own blood, and did not scruple to use animals closely 

 allied to each other. This system, adhered to more or less 

 during a course of years by his successors and by later 

 breeders, while sustaining the purity of the breed, had 

 the efiect of lessening its value to the farmer. It gradually 

 exhibited a weakened constitution, became reduced in size 

 and more delicate in form — ^the ewes were less prolific and less 

 generous to their ofispring. These prominent and serious 

 defects soon craved the attention of enlightened breeders, who, 

 by a judicious introduction of new blood; have again restored 

 the original character of the breed, with all the improvements 

 resulting from the advanced system of cultivation and the 

 enlarged area of sheep farming of the present day. 



"The New Leicester is now perhaps the most widely 

 extended and most numerous of all our native breeds. The 

 sheep are without horns, with white faces and legs ; the head 

 small and clean ; the eye bright ; neck and shoulders square 

 and deep ; back straight, with deep carcass ; hind quarters 

 tapering toward the tail and somewhat deficient when com- 

 pared with the Cotswold sheep ; legs clean, with fine bone. 

 The flesh is juicy but of moderate quality, and is remarkable 

 for the proportion of outside fat it carries. 



"They are not considered so hardy as the other large 

 breeds, and require shelter and good kieep. The ewes are 

 neither very prolific nor good mothers, and the young lambs 

 require great attention. Early maturity and aptitude for 

 fattening are the principal characteristics of the breed ; a large 

 proportion of the wethers finding their way to market at 

 twelve or fifteen months old, and weighing from 80 to 100 

 lbs. each ; at two years old they average 120 to 150 lbs. each. 

 The wool is a valuable portion of the flock, the fleeces 

 averaging 7 lbs. each. 



