6S4 SHEEP 



flocks in Scotland— that of McKersie of Glenbuck— the average 

 weight of fleece in 1886 was S^ pounds. Scott gives the average 

 weight of fleeces as 5 to 6 pounds. Wool of this class is exten- 

 sively used in Scotland for blankets, carpets, and rugs. 



The prices paid for Black-faced Highland sheep are nominal 

 for American trade, but of some importance in Scotland. In 1887 

 there were sold 4952 head for the average price of ^22.18, with 

 a top price of nearly ^375 for a ram, the highest price on record 

 for a Black-faced Highland sheep to that time. In 1914 a ram 

 sold in Scotland for ^iio ($535), and in September, 19 16, 

 Mrs. Watters of Perthshire paid $1500 for a yearling ram at the 

 Lanark sale. At this same sale James Clark sold his first-prize 

 pen of 5 yearling rams at an average price of ^566, a new high 

 record for a pen. At the Perth ram sale in 19 16 the top price 

 was nearly $900, a second ram brought $750, and 20 rams of 

 one consignor averaged ^150. In September, 1919, Buchanan 

 Brothers of Muirkirk, Scotland, sold a yearling ram for $2000. 



The distribution of Black-faced Highland sheep is mainly over 

 the Highlands of Scotland and to a small extent on the higher of 

 the mountain regions of north England. Large numbers are bred 

 in the Highlands and this, with the Cheviot, occupies most of the 

 space at the Scotch shows. These sheep have been exported to 

 various countries where the conditions are rough and grazing rela- 

 tively poor, but have secured no foothold of note. R. H. Williams 

 of New Jersey, in 191 8, acquired a flock of 160 head that had been 

 developed in that state from imported stock. There are some of 

 these sheep in Massachusetts and also in West Virginia. 



The promotion of Black-faced Highland sheep is essentially in 

 the hands of the Scotch. A Black-faced Sheep Breeders' Associa- 

 tion has its headquarters at Moniaive, Scotland, and publishes a 

 flock book. On January 31, 1907, the American Black-faced 

 Highland Sheep Association was organized in New York City, 

 but has had a nominal membership and shows little or no activity. 



The special field for Black-faced Highland sheep in America 

 should be the mountain regions east and west, but more especially 

 the higher sections of the lower Alleghenies, where grass grows 

 in abundance. The Cheviot, however, is almost equally hardy and 

 is far better suited to the American market. 



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