28 REVIEW THE BREEDING AND ECONOMY OF LIVE STOCK 
The downs of Sussex is the principal district in which they are 
bred, and from this they have derived their name. They are 
without horns, with grey heads and legs, fine bone, and short 
thick fleeces of wool. Formerly their points were very irregular, 
having low fore-ends and light fore-quarters ; their middles 
pretty well formed in both ribs and loins ; their legs or hams 
being full and compact. The meat is very fine in the grain, of 
a bright colour and excellent quality, being full of lean as well 
as fat, and cutting up into very handsome joints. They are also 
very full of tallow, and feed readily. Of late years they have 
been much improved, particularly by those eminent breeders, the 
Messrs Ellman, whose flocks are said to be the purest in Eng- 
land. Most of the breeding stocks in England and Scotland 
have been selected from them. A very high-bred flock is in 
the possession of Mr. Hugh Watson, of Keillor, who procured 
them originally from Mr. Ellman, of Biddingham, in Sussex. 
Under the care of the Messrs. Ellman, the Southdowns have 
been vastly improved, and may, in fact, be called a new race. 
Not only are they improved in symmetry, but in size, wool, and 
feeding propensities. The fore-ends of the present improved 
Southdowns are now high, full, and prominent, and their gene- 
ral outline level and compact. In weight they are from two to 
three lbs. per quarter heavier than the old breed, while the wool 
is longer, and retains its fine texture. It is also proved that 
their aptitude to fatten is much increased, and they arrive sooner 
at maturity. The wool of wedders is now from three to four 
inches long; but it is yet too short for combing purposes. 
‘'Although a short-woolled soft-looking sheep, they are proved 
to be pretty hardy. Mr. Watson, of Keillor, for instance, keeps 
his ewes on the north side of the Sidlaw Hills, near Coupar- 
Angus, and he has for many years bred them with great suc- 
cess, and produced splendid specimens of them as a pure breed, 
and also crosses with the Leicester tup. Not only the carcass, 
but the wool is much improved by this cross, which appears to 
be a most judicious one. Mr. Hoy, of Nenthorn, has also been 
very successful with it. Mr. Bruce, Greenknow, Berwickshire, 
keeps a very superior stock of Southdowns, and has sold some 
good lots at his annual sales, both pure and crosses. This stock 
was originally from Mr. Ellman. Mr. Bruce has also tried 
them in crossing the Black-faced ewe, and although the produce 
was not very handsome, the flesh was proved to be excellent, 
and those who purchased them once eagerly purchased them 
again. This may also be considered a judicious cross, the wool 
being much improved. Some fat lambs of this cross were 
shewn in the Edinburgh market in 1849, bred and fed by Mr. 
Skirving, of Luffness, and others. These lambs pleased the 
