. Types and breeds of farm animals . Livestock. THE LEICESTER 433 and easier fattening quality than where Merino rams are used. In France a type of Leicesters termed Dishlcy Alerinos has been developed by using- Leicester rams on a Merino ewe foun- dation, these sheep now showing little of Merino character. Robert Taylor of Nebraska has used Leicester rams on middle- wool ewes on the western range with signal success. In both 1903 and 1904 Mr. Taylor won the grand championship at the International Live Stock Exposition on car-load show of lambs, these being a cross of Leicester rams on grade H
. Types and breeds of farm animals . Livestock. THE LEICESTER 433 and easier fattening quality than where Merino rams are used. In France a type of Leicesters termed Dishlcy Alerinos has been developed by using- Leicester rams on a Merino ewe foun- dation, these sheep now showing little of Merino character. Robert Taylor of Nebraska has used Leicester rams on middle- wool ewes on the western range with signal success. In both 1903 and 1904 Mr. Taylor won the grand championship at the International Live Stock Exposition on car-load show of lambs, these being a cross of Leicester rams on grade Hampshire ewes. In fact, it is conceded that cross-bred Leicester mutton is produced more economically, matures earlier, and is of bet- ter quality than the pure-bred, although the size is somewhat lessened. In this connection it is interesting to note that the Leicester as improved by Bakewell has served a most important part in improving some of the British breeds in the days of early development, its blood being freely used on the Southdown, Cotswold, Lincoln, Shropshire, and Hampshire foundations. The Leicester as a wool producer yields a fine grade of long wool. Randall states that after the first shearing it will average about 6 inches long and will weigh 6 pounds. Professor Shaw states that the fleece should average from 9 to 11 pounds weight, while the 1894 edition of the Complete Grazier, by Youatt, places it at an average of 7 pounds. George Benedict of Nebraska, a breeder of pure Leicesters, in 1893 wrote, "The average weight of fleeces for ten years is 11 ; The fleece of the Leicester being naturally fine and open weighs comparatively light. If grade Leicester ewes are bred to middle- or fine-wool rams, the fleece of the offspring is commonly finer, more compact, and shears heavier than that of the pure-brei. Fig. 202. A very choice Border Leicester ram bred by Mr. Smith of Leaston, Scotland. Sold in 1901 for ^122 ($600). Photograph from the owner, J
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Keywords: ., bookauthorplumbcha, bookcentury1900, bookdecade1900, bookyear1906
