664 VARIOUS BREEDS OF SHEEP IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
Highlands and the more cultivated flocks of the Lowlands 
and of the south. These sheep are without horns ; their 
heads and legs are white in colour — sometimes, but rarely, 
dun or speckled ; the face good, with lively eyes ; the body 
rather long, on clean, fine legs ; the neck and fore quarter, 
like those of all mountain breeds, are rather light. These, by 
judicious breeding and management, have been considerably 
improved of late years. They are exceedingly hardy, and 
although possessing all the vigour and constitution of a 
mountain breed, exhibit none of their restless habits, and 
submit w ith great docility to the restraint of the Lowland 
farms. The natural pasture of the Cheviot range is very good 
and nutritious, and has aided in the development of a larger- 
framed animal than that of other mountain districts. The 
wethers are usually kept till they are three years old, when 
they fatten readily on turnips, and are sent to market weigh- 
ing on the average from 70 to 80 lb. each. Owing to the 
climate, the lambing is very late, not until the end of April 
or the beginning of May. This is always a period of anxiety, 
as great attention and care are required. The ewes are good 
mothers; in some districts it is still the practice to milk them 
for six or eight weeks. This, though yielding a small produce 
in cheese, is very detrimental to both the ewes and the 
lambs, who are injured to a greater extent than the return 
obtained by the sale of the cheese. The breed is met with 
throughout the wdiole of Scotland, and in the border counties 
of England. In Ireland and Wales also it has been intro- 
duced very successfully into several of the more elevated 
districts. The fleece averages about 5 lb. The w 7 ool is of 
medium length and quality. The practice of smearing or 
salving the sheep before winter is becoming less general every 
year; it is now 7 confined chiefly to the more elevated districts, 
or the more exposed pastures of the northern counties. The 
operation, intended chiefly as a protection from the climate, 
has the effect of lowering the value of the fleece, wdfile at the 
same time it entails a certain cost both in materials and in 
labour. The Cheviots have been crossed successfully with 
the Leicester and South Downs ; in both cases the produce 
has been very satisfactory, showing an improvement in the 
carcase, the weight and quantity of wool, and an aptitude to 
fatten at an earlier age than the pure breed. At the same 
time the crossed breed is more delicate in constitution, and 
better suited for the Lowland farms than for the exposed pas 
tures of their native hills. 
Radnor and Welsh Sheep. — The different breeds of sheep 
met with in Wales need but a passing notice, as, under an 
