Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1873-02-22
Agricultural,
Fhe OId EaaHsh Breedsof s6sep

The Norfolk sheep were indigenous
in the countries of Norfolk and Suffolk.
The horns were large and spiral the
bodies long; the Joins marrow with a
high back and thin chine the legs long,
black or gray. They we're of a wild,
rowing disposition, and not easily con-
fined within any but strong Enclosures.
The wool of the original breed was
short, and the fleece weighed from two
to two and a half pounds.
The agile form of these sheep, ena-
bling them to move over a large space
of ground with little labor, was a vast
advantage to the old Norfolk farmers,
many of whom were possessed of large
tracts of heathland, which they had no
means of bringing into cultivation ex-
cept by the assistance of the fold. Mr..
Marshall ch~aracterizes them, in his ac-
count of the Norfolk ~husbandry, as be-
ing singularly well adapted to the soil
and system of management prevalent in
that country, thriving upon heath and
barren sheep-walks, where nine-tenths
of the breeds in the kingdom would
starve, standing the fold perfectly well,
yet fattening freely at two years. odd,
and bearing the journey to distant mar
kets with comparative ease. Mn. Kent
in his survey Of the same country, has
been equally warm in their praise yet,
Notwithstanding testimonials in their
favor, they have long been giving way
to the Southdown or Sussex-down, or
Norfolk and Oxford-down breeds, and
the old Norfolks are a nearly extinct
race.
The Wiltshire breed were distin-
guished by large spiral horns bending
downwards, close to the head. They
we're perfectly white in their faces and
legs and long Roman noses, with large
open nostrils; were wide and heavy in
the headquarters, and light in the fore
quarter and offal. The quality of the
fleece was that of clothing wool or mod
crate ineness, averaging nearly three
pounds in weight; and the ~carcasses of
the weathers, when fat, usually weighed
from 70 to 80 pounds.
This breed has now nearly disap-
peared. 1t was first improved by the
Southdowhs, and it has been crossed so
frequently with that breed, that it be-
come almost a Southdown, or differs
only from the true Southdown in its
increased size, lighter color, and finer
fleece.
The Dorset breed are horned. The
ram has a singular long convoluted
horn, and is entirely white. The chest
is deep, and the loins broad. The wool
of the pure breed is Of al nterme-
date kind between long and short,
and of middling ineness, weighing
about four pounds per fleece; and
the carcass averages eighteen pounds
per quarter of excellent mutton. Great
numbers of Southdown sheep have been
introduced into this country, but in the
neighborhood of Dorchester the original
breed retain their native character.
They are a hardy race, being chiefly
bred on open downs, and Injured to the
fold; but their principal value consists
in the peculiar forwardnoss of the ewes
who take the ram at an earlier perio(
than any other species, and are there
, fore much sought for, and command
high prices, for the purpose of produc
, ing house-lamb for winter consumption
They will often take the ram so early a
! April.
There lisa variety of the Dorset bree,
in Dean Forest, and on the Mendi,
. Hills. He is a small compact animal
, that would thrive on the poorest soil
In both situations, however, and particu
larly on the Mendip Hills, the sheep ar
Y materially changed since the progress
e of i~nclosure. The auckland, the lie
: cesters, and the Southdowns, now osct
e Ply the greater part Of these once vii
Q tracts.
These old breeds have now bee
Q greatly improved, by the i~ntroductio
of rams from the different hocks of we
bred sheep, for which Great Britain
SO famous all over the civilized worl'
d Sheep breeding has always receive
more attention in England than in Il
% United States.