VARIOUS BREEDS OF SHEEP IN GREAT BRITAIN. 661 
sidered more profitable. The “ Exmoor’* ewes drop their 
lambs very early, and have the reputation of good mothers 
for the production of fat lambs for the London and other 
early markets. The wethers are generally grazed until they 
are four or five years old, according to their condition and 
wool-producing powers ; they are then sent down to the 
lowland farms, where they are fattened on turnips, and sent 
to market, weighing on the average from 60 to 75lb. each. 
This is found to be a more advantageous system than feeding 
them at an earlier age, w hen the gross weight is less, and the 
market value of the meat not so high. The meat is much 
esteemed for its fine flavour, and always commands a high 
price. The fleece weighs on the average from 4 to 5lb.; 
the wool belongs to the long w 7 ool class, and is of excellent 
quality, being grown very fine and close upon the body, and 
of a moderate length. It is the practice also to clip the 
stock lambs, which produce each from lj to 2lb. of beautiful 
fine wool, according to their age and the treatment they 
have received. When these sheep are carefully kept and 
attended to, on well-cultivated farms, their size, fleece, and 
general characters rapidly improve, and many farmers assert 
that they will return more profit per acre than the more 
highly cultivated and less hardy breeds. 
The principal crosses are with the Lincoln and Leicester 
breeds : these improve both the size of the animal and also 
the weight and quality of the fleece. Other crosses have 
been tried with Hampton, Dorset, and Cheviot sheep, but 
they have not been continued. 
Devonshire South Hams . — The district in which this breed 
is met with is extremely limited, being principally the 
southern portion of Devonshire, extending from the Vale of 
Honiton up to the borders of Dartmoor. In physical cha- 
racters they more resembled the Romney Marsh than any 
other breed, though they differed from them in having brown 
faces and legs. Latterly they have been improved by the 
introduction of Leicester blood; this has had the effect of 
somewhat reducing the size of the sheep, and of causing the 
colour of their faces and legs gradually to disappear. The 
points of the animal have been materially improved, a dis- 
position to fatten at an earlier age obtained, and a finer 
fleece secured. When ready for market, at about two years 
old, the sheep weigh from 100 to 1201b. each ; the mutton 
is w r ell flavoured and commands a good market. The fleece 
averages 91b. in weight ; the wool is long in the staple and 
of moderate quality. The practice of smearing the sheep is 
xxvni. 85 
