382 ROMNEY MARSH.

proceeded far enough, to show, in a few individuals of superior quality, what the Kent breed of sheep are capable of being raised to, by exertion and perseverance.

The description of FLocxs, which are kept in Romney Marsh, are the three ge- neral descriptions of sheep; flamely, breed- ing, rearing, and fatting.

In BREEDING, the rams are put to, very late; as the middle of November; in order that the grass may have time to make its spring shoot, before the season of lambing. For, in the winter management of sheep, even of ewe flocks, they are left, as has been said, to the mercy of the elements. In the severest weather,—when the stale her- bage, their only food, is deeply covered with snow, and cutting winds set in upon them, from the sea,—they are destitute of food and shelter! Hundreds, or even thou- sands, are lost in a single night! Blown, by scores perhaps, into the fence sewers (especially when there is ice of sufficient strength, to bear the snow, but not the sheep), thus forming bridges, for the rest to pass! During a severe frost, when the ice will every where bear the flocks, the Marsh,