THE LEICESTER 621 



here in 1834 by Isaac Maynard of Coshocton County, who also 

 brought other breeds for trial. In 1840 Henry Parsons of Massillon 

 had a large flock of breeding ewes. The first sheep of this breed 

 were imported into Canada about 1842. 



The characteristics of the English Leicester sheep. The head 

 from the ears forward is covered with a soft white hair, the skin 

 having a slight bluish tint and small black spots often occurring 

 on head and ears. The face is of medium length ; the nose is- 



Fig. 292. Leicester ewes on pasture at the Royal Agricultural College, Ciren- 

 cester, England. From photograph by the author 



frequently Roman in form, with black skin at muzzle ; and the 

 ears are thin, somewhat large, and delicate, standing more or less 

 erect. Neither rams nor ewes have horns. The neck tends to be 

 short and is not much elevated in carriage. The body is very wide 

 of rib but often lacks in depth, the proportion of breadth to depth 

 being striking. The breast is usually quite prominent, both in ex- 

 tension and thickness, and the hind quarters frequently are not so 

 large as they should be, being peaked. The legs tend to be long 

 and fine of bone, and the hoofs should be black. The tempera- 

 ment is quiet and gentle, such as might be expected with the large 

 breeds. The fleece is excellent for coarse wool, medium long, and 

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