As the science of breeding developed,
and competition in mutton production
became more intense by reason of en
tranced prices of land and the fastidious
ness ot buyers who were able to pay such
prices as were necessary to secure the
best article, carcass developtntnt began
to manifest minor characteristics there
tofore unnoticed or uucared for, and
soon mere resulted fixed varieties within
the breeds. E-pecially was this notice
able in localities most readily influenced
by the increasing demand for mutton
though the changes and improve
ments in fleece production were euconr
aged by the desire and inability of the
people for improvements in clothing
material.
Not only were variations noticeable in
the size of carcass in animals bred es
pecially for meat production, it extend
ed to the length and character of the
covering of such animals, the disappear
ance of horns—once presumably the ad
junct of their early ancestrj —aud the
color of extremities, until with some va
rieties black or brown faces or legs and
hornless polls became the passport of
recognition of pure breeding.
