Practical Agriculture. 
509 = 503 
\pcked Spanish Armada, — it is known that they occupied most 
|rt of the mountain pastures in the south of Scotland, as well 
s on the hills which gave them their name, for a long time 
bore the commencement of the great improvement of the breed 
i the latter half of last century. The old Cheviots — small, 
1 ht, ill-formed animals, with brownish-white heads and legs — 
t very hardy constitution, were completely remodelled by Mr. 
Ijibson, of Belford, who crossed them with rams obtained from 
Iicolnshire ; some authorities considering that these were Bake- 
t11 Leicesters, others maintaining that they were some of the 
1 hter kind of Lincolns. The modern Cheviot somewhat re- 
stibles the Border Leicester, with a thinner neck and lighter 
fiequarter. The faces and legs are white ; though individuals Points. 
«:ur in the purest flocks in which the colour is mottled grey 
ca light dun, considered to indicate superior hardiness. Both 
s es are destitute of horns, though a "snig" is sometimes 
f nd upon the ram. The head is erect, long and clean ; and 
V ile the neck and throat should be well covered with wool, none 
r st appear on the head. The eye is lively and prominent ; 
t ears are long, open, and well covered with hair. With these 
dferent features combined must be exhibited a fine, open, and 
s ightly countenance, with every indication of hardiness. The 
1 s are moderately long, clean, and fine ; the hindquarters are 
f I and well proportioned ; the rump is full ; the tail is neatly set, 
Ifg, and well covered with wool, which reaches to the hocks, 
le body is lengthy; and there is a tendency to lightness in the 
1 equarters, though this is a defect which careful breeding has 
(lie much to obviate. The neck and chest should be full ; the 
rs rounded, and well filled up behind the shoulder. The pelt 
i bin, and covered with uniformly fine wool, free from dead 
1 rs, coming well down on the quarters, forward on the neck, 
a 1 completely covering the belly. The fleece, of soft wool of 
I clium length, used for the manufacture of tweeds, weighs, 
c an average of a good flock, about 4 J lbs., the weight and 
f>eness depending greatly upon the nature of the herbage on 
vich the sheep are grazed — dry sweet pasture giving a finer 
t ture than coarse grass. Ewes, when fat, generally weigh 
f m 14 lbs. to 18 lbs. per quarter, dead-weight ; wethers 18 lbs. 
t20 lbs. per quarter, or more, at three years old, fed on arti- 
fjial food. The mutton is esteemed a delicacy. 
They are prolific breeders and good nurses ; and are excelled 
hardiness at great altitudes, and in power to endure mountain 
: ims, only by the Black-faced breed. They now occupy most of 
> mountains in the south of Scotland, and in the north prevail 
Sutherland, Caithness, and Ross-shire. The great fairs and 
s for them are Falkirk, Melrose, Lockerbie, Moffat, Inver- Fairs. 
