36 BULLETIN 94, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGBICTJLTUBE. 
In the fall of 1907 one ram and three ewes were brought over, and 
three years later three more ewes were imported. They were crossed 
with Southdowns and Shropshires, the ewes proving remarkably 
good milkers and the lambs making rapid gains. They are exceptional 
mothers, being better than the more common mutton breeds in this 
respect. They are very fertile, producing many twins and triplets 
and have averaged a very high percentage of lambs; namely, 155 
per cent. This percentage has been obtained from a very small 
number, hence it should not be overrated, as more extensive tests 
may not result as favorably. 
The Southdown cross is said to have resulted in a very fine type 
of mutton sheep, being larger than the Southdown and possessing 
more spring of rib. 
This breed is sometimes known as the White-faced Shropshire. 
The two breeds have considerable in common, and it is sometimes 
claimed that Ryeland blood entered into the development of the 
Shropshire. They are a. hardy, compact breed, possessing great 
spring of rib. They thrive upon scanty pasture and fatten readily. 
They are claimed to be especially desirable for the production of early 
lambs, as the offspring are usually fat when dropped, but they have 
been criticized for this very property", as the carcass of a Ryeland, even 
under 1 year of age, is said to contain too great a percentage of tallow. 
The head is a dull white color, covered with wool to the eyes and 
having a strip on either side of the face. The breed is characteris- 
tically strong at the juncture of the shoulders and neck. Mature 
rams in breeding condition should weigh from 200 to 225 pounds 
and ewes from 160 to 175 pounds. 
The Ryeland breed is rather attractive and should find admirers in 
this country. 
The fleece of the new Ryeland is considered heavier than that of 
the old prototype. The wool is of the combing class and resembles 
that of the Oxford Down, good fleeces weighing from 10 to 12 pounds. 
The quality is excellent, and this wool vies with that of the Dorset 
for premier place at the Royal. Upon the American markets it would 
usually grade as quarter and low quarter blood combing. 
THE KERRY HILL. 
The Kerry Hill is a Welsh breed of comparatively recent origin. 
Their home is in the Kerry Hills, which extend eastward and westward 
for 15 miles through the parish of Kerry, in Montgomery shire. 
The region around about is famous for its improved live stock, as 
Shropshire sheep and Hereford cattle took form as breeds in 
neighboring shires. 
The foundation breed was described in 1809 in the Agricultural 
Survey of Wales as the only breed that produced perfect wool, the 
