The Breeds of English Sheep.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 2739, 1 February 1890, Page 6 (Supplement)

The Breeds of English Sheep.

Commencing with the far north, we find the hills of Highlands and islands of Scotland tenanted by black-faced sheep, where these have not given way to the more majestic denizens of deer forests. The black-faced sheep flourish wherever heather grows, and their picturesque and agile forms agree well with the laud of the mountain and the flood. The lower slopes of the hills are tenanted by Cheviots, and these two races share bouny Scotland between them. In the Lowlands we fiud Cheviots, Border Lcicesters and crosses of Cheviot and Leicester ocoupyiug most of the arable farms, In the arable portions of Cumberland and Northumberland a simlar description of sheep is kept, the ewe flock being generally half or three parts Leicester put to Leicester tups, the remaning blood being Cheviot. On the hills of Cumberlund and Westmorelaud the hardy little Herdwick is the favorite ; while on the extensive moors stretching from the Cheviots to Allen Heads and southwards through South Northumberland, Durham, Yorkshire and to the Peak districts of Derbyshire the black faced breed again predominates. The hills of West Yorkshire and East Lancashire are tenanted by the Liuestone or Crag sheep, while the mossy valleys carrying tire damp enduring Lonks, with their black-pied faces and superior wool. The poor arable lauds of Durham and North Yorkshire are stocked with "mules," the progeny between black-faced ewes and Leicester rams. Throughout east Yorkshire, Notts, Huntingdon, Rutland, Northampton, South Derbyshire, Leicestershire, and parts of Lincolnshire, the Leicester sheep is still the favourite. The Lincoln sheep is found in the greatest perfection in the southern portions of the country and in Cambridgeshire, lu the Western Midlands, including Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, parts of Cheshire and Worcestershire, the famous Shropshire sheep has achieved a prominent position ; while in Herefordshire, Menmouth and Gloucestershire, and parts of Oxfordshire and Somersetshire, the Cotawold sheep reigns paramount. In Oxfordshire, Berks, Bedford, Bucks and Herts the improved Oxford Down is the characteristic sheep. In Wiltshire and Hampshire the Hampshire Down predominates. In Sussex, Kent and Surrey we fiud the natural home ottheSouthdown, but in the southern parts of Kent the rich pastures of Romuey Mawh support a long woolled race of their own. In Suffolk and Essex, the Suffolk Down sheep has recently reasserted its claim to be recognised as a separate and excellent race. On the extreme south coast of Hampshire, aud in the country of Dorset, the white faced and horned Dorsets or "horns" prevail, while in Devon the Hampton breed is much esteemed. On the hills and moors of the same country are to be found the hardy Exmoor and Okehamptou forest breeds. In the Principality many of the already named races have found a footing on the lowlands, while the

mountains are inhabited by Scotch blackfaces and Welsh sheep of small size, but boasting exceptionally good mutton. The above sketch of localities of the various breeds must not be understood as more than general. In every county are to be found flocks of Shropshires, Oxfords, Hampshires, Cofcswolds or Southdowns, but the general stocking of farms will be found to be upon the lines indicated. Taking the United Kingdom as a whole we find that the general distribution of sheep is represented at about 600 sheep per 1000 acres of agricultural land, associated with 214- cattle of all ages, 40 horses and 80 pigs upon the same area of 1000 acres. The relative sheep populations of the various portions of the United Kingdom are shown as follows ;— England 632 sheep per 1000 acres. Scotland 1380 ~ ~ Wales 96+ ~ ~ ~ Ireland 241 ~ ~ ~ We see, that Caledonia is the land for sheep and shepherds, and the delights of arcadian and pastoral life. Next to her comes gallant little Wales, while England is evidently more divided between sheep, cattle and coru growing.—Professor Wrightsou in the Live Stock Journal.