DESCRIPTION 105 



Improvement by Webb. — Mr. Webb, who carried on the im- 

 provement of Southdowns from the point where Ellman left it, 

 studied matings closely and never allowed price to keep him from 

 buying the best rams. Being in a country where the soil was more 

 fertile and where the liking for large sheep was more pronounced 

 than in Mr. Ellman's region, he bred for more size. He practically 

 perfected the breed as regards mutton conformation and quality. 



Fig. 63. — Southdown ewe bred and exhibited by Robert MoEwen, Byron, Ontario. 

 This ewe, shown at leading fairs in Canada and the United States in 1915 and 1916, was 

 defeated but once. 



Fortunately he lived to reap the fruits of his good work, for his 

 ram lettings and sales became noted events in the world of animal 

 breeding. He was also very successful in the show ring and, being 

 of persuasive personality, he did much to popularize the breed. His 

 flock was dispersed in 1862 at a memorable auction sale (Figs. 61 

 and 62). 



Description. — Form and Weight. — The best specimens of the 

 present-day Southdown closely approximate the ideal mutton type 



