6o2 SHEEP 



value. MacNeilage brings out the Scotch system in an interesting 

 manner, in which comparative merits are discussed as follows : 



In the southeast of Scotland, and to a large extent in northeast Northumber- 

 land, the produce of the Border Leicester tup (ram) and the Cheviot ewe has 

 been the savior of agriculture. There you have land, too good to be utilized 

 as a rearing ground for a mountain breed like the Cheviot, and not good 

 enough to do justice to the Border Leicester. Some farseeing men, recogniz- 

 ing that there was some sort of affinity between the two white-faced breeds, 

 crossed them, and gave them the suggestive name of half-breds. It is not 

 certain who actually was the first to suggest and practice the cross, but two 

 names are usually mentioned as prominent. These are John Borthwick of 

 West Newton, Northumberland, and Mr. Elliott of Lamberton, Berwickshire. 

 From the Cheviot is derived a hardier constitution than the Border Leicester 

 can boast, and from the Border Leicester more size and a greater tendency to 

 ripen early. The half-bred is said to have wool more close planted, to be better 

 clad than the Border Leicester, and the mutton is of finer quality than that 

 produced by the latter breed. In addition to these qualities the half-bred 

 is more prolific, and a better mother than her progenitor, four out of five 

 producing twins. 



Oxford Down rams are also used on Cheviot ewes with success. 

 Both of these crosses produce very rapid-fattening lambs, giving 

 a leaner and better quality of flesh, dressing out i6 to i8 pounds 

 to the quarter at about twelve months old. Cheviot rams have not 

 been used extensively in crossing, but when used on Merino grade 

 ewes produce an easier-fattening lamb of more salable type. 



The Cheviot as a grazing sheep is unsurpassed. On its native 

 hills it subsists entirely on pasture, excepting for hay which may 

 be fed during excessive snow when the grass is covered. Ordi- 

 narily the Cheviots paw aside the thin covering of snow on 

 the hillsides and thus secure winter grazing. No breed is more 

 essentially a grazing sheep. 



The Cheviot as a range sheep is of peculiar character. This 

 breed does not flock in the ordinary manner, each sheep moving 

 about independently, thus scattering to a considerable extent. On 

 the Scotch hillsides one sees no evidence of flockings such as 

 the Merino exhibits. There are but few of these sheep on the 

 Western range, but if the natural hardiness of the Cheviot could 

 be combined with reasonable restriction of movement it would 

 serve a valuable purpose to the ranchman. In recent years the 



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