696 Report on the Sheep Exhibited at Windsor. 
Somerset and Dorset Horned. 
The Dorset korn sheep are one of the oldest breeds in the 
kingdom, having been naturalised in their native county from 
time immemorial and preserved practically unmixed. They 
have, however, been greatly improved in size, shape, and fleece 
during the past fifty years. They are one of the breeds which 
have lost some of their ancient prestige. At one time they 
occupied the greater part of the chalk district, but after a 
lengthy struggle for supremacy they had to retire before the 
Southdowns, which were more suited to range the hills. They 
hold a unique position by reason of their peculiar aptitude for 
breeding at all seasons. This causes them to be used to a 
certain extent, not only in their own county, but in other parts, 
to supply lamb for market at Christmas and other unseasonable 
times. The ordinary practice, however, is for the ewes to lamb 
between the middle of December and the middle of January. 
There were thirty-one entries of this breed at Windsor, all 
of them coming from Somerset. Four breeders, Messrs. J. 
Kidner, Herbert Farthing, Samuel Kidner, and W. T. Culver- 
well, divided the prizes. 
Devon Long-wools. 
Professor Low, writing forty-five years ago, remarked that 
the Devonshire breeders " take a just pride in their newly- 
formed breed." This new breed was the result of crossing the 
old Bampton Notts — a large white-faced breed with a heavy 
fleece — with the improved Leicester, and it has now become 
well established under the name of Devon Long-wools. Selec- 
tion has long since taken the place of crossing as the method of 
improvement. Mr. — now Sir Thomas — Acland, in his report 
on the farming of Somerset,' remarks that at that time (1850) 
it was considered that there could not be a better sheep for the 
purpose of the farmers of the rich lands than the improved 
Bampton crossed with Leicester. Since that time the Devon 
Long-wools have become stUl more firmly established as the 
type has become fixed. 
There were thirty-one entries at Windsor, and the prizes 
went to Sir J. H. Heathcoat-Amory, Messrs. Charles Norris, 
Nathaniel Cook, and C. G. Thome. 
Ryelands. 
One of the most ancient of native breeds is the Ryeland, 
which is indigenous to the Welsh marshes, and especially to 
' Journal, Vol. XI. 1st Series (1850), p. 682. 
