ight of fleece; and
yielding a kind of mutton unsurpassed in flavor and delicacy--equal,
in the estimation of many, to the finest venison. The carcass of a
Southdown wether, when well fatted, is large, weighing, at two to three
years old, a hundred to a hundred and twenty pounds. The ewe is a
prolific breeder, and a good nurse. They are exceedingly hardy, and will
thrive equally well in all climates, and on all our soils, where they
can live. There is no other variety of sheep which has been bred to that
high degree of perfection, in England. The great Southdown breeder, Mr.
Webb, of Batraham, has often received as high as fifty, to one hundred
guineas, in a season, for the _use_ of a single ram. Such prices show
the estimation in which the best Southdowns are held there, as well as
their great popularity among the English farmers. They are extensively
kept in the parks, and pleasure grounds of the wealthy people, where
things of profit are usually connected with those devoted to luxury.

For this cut of the Southdown ewe, we are indebted to the kindness of
Luther Tucker, Esq., of the Albany "Cultivator."

The Cotswold, New Oxford, and Leicester sheep, of the long-wooled
variety, are also highly esteemed, in the same capacity as the
Southdowns.

They are large; not so compactly built as the Southdowns; producing a
heavy fleece of long wool, mostly used for combing, and making into
worsted stuffs. They are scarcely so hardy, either, as the Southdowns;
nor are they so prolific. Still, they have many excellent qualities; and
although their mutton has not the fine grain, nor delicacy, of the
other, it is of enormous weight, when well fattened, and a most
profitable carcass. It has sometimes reached a weight of two hundred
pounds, when dressed. They are gentle, and quiet in their habits; white
in the face and legs; and show a fine and stately contrast to the
Southdowns, in their increased size, and breadth of figure. They
require, also, a somewhat richer pasture; but will thrive on any good
soil, yielding sweet grasses. For the cut of the Cotswold ewe, we are
also indebted to Mr. Tucker, of "The Cultivator."

To show the contrast between the _common_ native sheep, and the improved
breeds, of which we have spoken, a true portrait of the former is
inserted, which will be readily recognized as the creature which
embellishes, in so high a degree, many of the wild nooks, and rugged
farms of the country!

[Illustration: A