16 
Robert Babewell. 
large old breed, more wool per acre Was grown. That waS 
an illustration of one of Bakewell’s points — the economy of his 
system — not the weight of the single animal, but the aggregate 
weight returned for so much grass. Young, however, says that 
Bakewell’s sheep were individually as weighty as the individuals 
of nine-tenths of the sheep in the kingdom ; and “ his wool,” he 
adds, “is equal to any.” Marshall (in Georgical Essays, 1803, 
p. 386) shows that the breed was not greatly deficient in wool, 
wethers’ fleeces generally going at the rate of 4 to the tod (of 
28 lb.), and those of ewes about 44 — say, wethers’ 6 lb. to 8 lb., 
ewes’ 5 lb. to 7 lb. 
The last-named authority also gives a minute description of 
the Dishley or New Leicester sheep, which is here selected from 
among many other descriptions for comparison with Culley’s, as 
no two men were more competent than Culley and Marshall to 
describe the breed, and none, probably, have taken greater trouble 
to do so accurately and intelligibly. Marshall 1 takes his notes 
from “ superior individuals, especially ewes and wethers, in full 
condition but not immoderately fat.” Head long, small, hornless ; 
ears somewhat long and standing backward ; nose shooting for- 
ward. Neck thin, clean towards the head, but taking a conical 
form, standing low, and enlarging every way at the base. Fore- 
end altogether short. Bosom broad ; shoulders, ribs, and chine 
exceedingly full. Loin broad ; back level. Haunches compara- 
tively full towards the hips, but light downwards, and altogether 
small in proportion to the fore parts. Legs (“ at present,” he 
expressly interposes, as if a new variation were probable) of a 
moderate length, with extremely fine bone ; and the bone 
throughout remarkably light. Pelt thin ; tail small ; the wool 
shorter than longwools in general, but much longer than the 
middle wools, the ordinary length of staple 5 to 7 inches, varying 
much in fineness and weight. 
Upon the question of utility of form, Marshall considers 
that the most distinguishing characteristic of the breed, the 
weight of its fore quarters, is contrary to the general principle 
of improvement, as legs and saddles, not shoulders and breasts, 
are the favourite joints. But, on the other hand, he quotes 
the arguments of the New Leicester breeders, that “ eaters 
of mutton ai’e of the poorer class,” and the increase of their 
supply is the great object in view. Also, that in proportion 
to bones and other offal a greater weight of meat may be 
grown upon the fore quarters than upon the hind quarters. 
His description of one peculiarity must be quoted verbatim. 
1 Georgical Eesags, Vol. XX. p. 336 
