Volume 3

Encyclopaedia of agriculture by the most eminent authorities / edited by C.E. Green and D. Young.

  • Green, C. E. (Charles Edward), 1866-1920.
Date:
1907-1909
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Encyclopaedia of agriculture by the most eminent authorities / edited by C.E. Green and D. Young. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    hills, and the tenants were encouraged to cultivate some of the most accessible portions, and to grow oats, roots, and clover. With the fencing of the land and the extension of root cultivation an opportunity occurred of improving the breed, which was readily taken advantage of by the sheep farmers. From that time onward a steady improvement in the breeding and development of these sheep set in, and has been continued up to the present time. Whilst the hills were unenclosed there would inevitably be a certain unascertained amount of inbreeding; the law of the “survival of the fittest” would prevail; the healthiest, hardiest sheep would predominate, the weak ones would have no chance. Kerry Hill Slieep. Strength of constitution and adaptability to the surroundings were thus ensured. On this foundation, with judicious selection of rams, the present Kerry hill breed of sheep has been produced. The aim of the breeder has been and still is to conserve the good qualities of the old foundation sheep, such as his hardy constitution, his close-set fleece which protects him from the cold storms of the long winter, his muscular symmetry acquired through generations of hill climbing in search of food, and resulting in a preponderance of lean mutton in the carcass, and the splendid nursing qualities of the ewes which make them such excellent mothers. Whilst rigidly preserving these good foundation qualities, the efforts of the breeder have been directed to the increase of size and tendency to earlier maturity, and to the acquirement of a greater uniformity in type, colour, wool, symmetry, and character. To effect these improvements a persistent selection of the best sheep for breeding from has been the guiding^ principle. Very few attempts to improve by crossing with other larger breeds