THE DORSET DOWN 173 



of lambs in the hills they are sent down to the low country to raise 

 market lambs (Fig. 116). 



THE WELSH MOUNTAIN 



The Welsh Mountain is a very old breed native to the highest 

 hills of Wales. It is a small hardy sheep with white or tan mark- 

 ings and fine, dense wool which is not altogether free from kemp. 

 In conformation, it is a rather long, narrow sheep, and light in the 

 fore quarters. The ewes are hornless, but the rams have strong 

 curved horns. The mutton is of such quality as to rank with 

 Southdowns and Blackfaced Highlands. 



In disposition the Welsh Mountain is wild and restless, and hard 

 to keep within fenced enclosures. The ewes are good mothers and 

 they are taken to lower ground in large numbers to raise fat lambs 

 (Fig. 117). 



THE RYELAND 



The Ryeland originated in Herfordshire, early in the nineteenth 

 century, from crossing Leicesters on a small white-faced polled 

 breed that produced about two pounds of exceedingly fine wool. 

 The Leicester cross improved the size of body and weight of fleece 

 without materially reducing the quality of mutton, fineness of 

 wool, and hardiness, characteristic of the old breed. In conforma- 

 tion, the Ryeland resembles the earlier type Shropshire so much, 

 that it has been spoken of as the white-faced Shropshire. Its lambs 

 grow rapidly and Ryeland rams are known to be good sires of lambs 

 intended for market. 



Ryeland flocks are to be found mainly in Herfordshire. At 

 one time they were largely replaced by flocks of the Down breeds, 

 but in recent years the Ryeland has been regaining its old-time 

 popularity (Fig. 118). 



THE DORSET DOWN 



The Dorset Down originated in Dorsetshire from original stocks 

 that closely resembled the parent stock of the Hampshire. In fact 

 the Dorset Down is a modified Hampshire which Dorsetshire farmers 

 have found suitable to their conditions. It is smaller than the 

 Hampshire and more refined in head and bone. The face, ears, 

 and legs are lighter in color, being a grayish-brown, rather than a 

 deep brown, bordering on black. 



Dorset Downs are adapted to grazing either on pastures or on 



