DOMESTIC BKEEDS OF SHEEP. 29 
Bad weather for several years reduced the Iamb crop of the former 
breed to such an extent that the Black-face soon regained its pres- 
tige, because of its greater hardiness in this respect. The breed is 
now extensively used in cross breeding upon mountain sheep. 
Cheviots are also being bred in a limited way in Iceland, and they 
have been introduced into New Zealand. 
Cheviots were brought into Canada about 1825. Mr. Robert 
Youngs, ol Delphi, Delaware County, N. Y., made the first impor- 
tation into the United States in 1838. Another importation into 
the same county followed shortly afterwards, and other shipments 
were brought over, but active interest did not manifest itself in the 
breed until about 1880. 
The Cheviot flocks of this country are entirely confined to the 
farming sections. New York, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Penn- 
sylvania, and Ohio have the largest numbers. New York has proba- 
bly as many as all the other States named. 
Some years ago it was thought that the Cheviot would prove popu- 
lar upon the range, but for some reason, probably the fact that they 
do not herd well, they have failed to establish a foothold in the West. 
The Cheviot is a rather small, hardy breed of pronounced grazing 
qualities. Among their native hills they graze the year around, 
pawing aside the snow to find the grass, if necessary. Mature rams 
in breeding condition should weigh from 175 to 200 pounds and ewes 
from 140 to 160 pounds. The stylish carriage and comely manner 
of the Cheviot has characterized them as the " ladies'" sheep. 
The head and ears are free from wool and covered with short, 
white hair. There is a distinct ruff or collar about the neck. The 
legs are woolless. 
The mutton is of good quality and the wool is exceptionally white, 
containing little yolk or oil, and averages about 5 inches in length. 
The fleeces are, however, rather light, rams producing from 7 to 11 
and ewes from 6 to 9 pounds, as a rule, of quarter blood combing 
wool. The fertility of the Cheviot is quite high, twins being fre- 
quent, and the ewes are very good mothers. 
Wonderful improvement has been made in American-bred Cheviots 
during the past few years. Owing to this fact very few Cheviots 
have been imported. 
Like most of the mountain breeds, the Cheviot is light in the fore- 
quarters. They are also subject to the criticism of not being very 
well fleshed over the back and shoulders. " Scurs " or stubs of horns 
and reddish or tan colored hair upon the face sometimes crop out in 
inferior individuals. 
The Cheviot Sheep Society of Great Britain was founded in 1891. 
In America the American Cheviot Sheep Breeders organized in 1891. 
The National Cheviot Sheep Society was founded in 1894, there 
