The various Breeds of Sheep in Great Britain. 225 
put onc-tliird the usual number of ewes to him, thus estimating 
the value of the animal at 1200 guineas for tlie season. At this 
period many breeders, associates of Bakewell, and following uji 
his system, extended the reputation of the breed and shared in its 
advantages. In 1793 the Hock of ewes, 130 in number, of Mr. 
Paget of Ibstock, was sold by auction, f(n' the gross sum of 3200/., 
or for tlie average sum of 25/. lis. each. Others were also dis- 
posed of about the same period at very high prices. 
In order to obtain a permanent character to his breed, after he 
had by c ontinued crossing secured all those points he considered 
desirable, Bakewell carried on his breeding with his own blood, 
and did not scruple to use animals closely allied to each other. 
This system, adhered to more or less during a course of years by 
his successors and by later breeders, while sustaining the purity 
of the breed, had the effect of lessening its value to the farmer. 
It gradually exhibited a weakened constitution, became reduced 
in size and more delicate in form — tlie ewes were less prolific 
and less generous to their ofTsnring. These prominent and serious 
defects soon craved the attention of enlightened breeders, who^ 
by a judic ious introduction of new blood, have again restored the 
original character of tlie breed, with all the improvements result- 
ing from the advanced system of cultivation, and the enlarged area 
of sheep-farming of the present day. 
The neic Leicester is now perhaps the most widely extended 
and most numerous of all our native breeds. The sheep are 
without horns, with white faces and legs ; the head small and clean ; 
the eye bright; neck and shoulders square and deep; back straight, 
with deep carcase ; hind quarters tapering towards the tail and 
somewhat deficient when compared with the Cotsvvold sheep ; 
legs clean, with fine bone. The flesh is juicy, but of moderate 
quality, and is remarkable for the proportion of outside fat it 
carries. 
They are not considered so hardy as the other large breeds, 
and require slielter and good keep. The ewes are neither very 
prolific nor good mothers, and the young lambs require great 
attention. Early maturity and aptitude for fattening are the prin- 
cipal characteristics of the breed, a large proportion of the wethers 
finding their way to market at twelve or fifteen months old, and 
weighing from 80 to 100 lbs. each ; at two years old they average 
120 to 150 lbs. each. The wool is a valuable portion of the 
flock, the fleece averaging 7 lbs. each. 
The occasional introduction of a little Cotswold blood into a 
Leicester flock has the effect of improving both the constitution 
of the animal and also the hind-quarters, in which the Leicester 
is somew hat defective. Ram-breeding is carried out to a much 
larger extent with this breed than with any other. 
VOL. XVI. Q 
