400 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE 



in attendance at each meeting. >Yas carried out of the state of Ohio into 

 Michigan with a meeting of 30 members, besides as many visitors, at the 

 meeting held in the library rooms of the Patterson block in Flint City. 

 There was a great hue and cry by breeders of other states against taking 

 the meetings out of the state of Ohio, it being most central to the Oxford 

 districts of America. But Michigan gave them a good meeting, and, 

 against the prophecy of breeders from other states, did not retain the 

 annual meetings in the State, but without having a Canadian member 

 present, voted to hold the next meeting at Brantford, Out., during their 

 fat stock show\ This meeting was held December 2, 1898, with about 

 40 breeders in attendance, and Micliigan was favored with the election of 

 Vice President H. J. DeGarmo and Director Dr. B. F. Miller, Flint. 



Michigan has at the present time (August 10, 1899) thirty-two, or about 

 one-fifth of the stockholders in the American association. Ohio comes 

 next with twenty-eight members. The whole of the Canadian dominion 

 exceeds Michigan by only four members in the American association. It 

 is a curious fact that nearly all of the stockholders in the A. O. D. K. A., 

 and all of the Michigan members, are actually engaged in breeding Ox- 

 fords. These flocks in Michigan will number from 20 to 175 head of pure- 

 bred Oxfords per flock. It is estimated that there are about 2,500 pure- 

 bred Oxfords in Michigan in August, 1899. It is found upon inquiry 

 that these flocks vary somewhat in the w'eight of fleece, probably due as 

 much as anything to the difference in feed. The lowest average for a 

 pure-bred flock that I have found is eight and one-half pounds per head, 

 and that at less than eleven months' growth. The Hickory flock of Ox- 

 fords has an average for young and old for five consecutive years of a 

 little over eleven and one-half pounds per head. There are a few flocks 

 that are up to between fourteen and fifteen pounds per head. 



The Oxford differs from the Shropshire and Hampshire in being a little 

 heavier carcass (the heaviest of the Down breeds), and much heavier 

 fleeced. The wool is generally longer than the other breeds mentioned, 

 is strong and has a good luster, sells very readily for combing wool. His 

 head is somewhat longer but not as wide as either the Shropshire of 

 Hampshire. In color his face should be lighter than either of the others. 

 It should be an even, dark gray or light brown. The scale of points will 

 probably give all further description needed. 



Scale of points for Oxford Down sheep in four divisions: 



Breed type 30 



Constitution 25 



Mutton form and qualitv 30 



Wool .' 15 



Total 100 



SUBDIVISIONS 

 BREED TYPE OF ANIMALS. 



Form or a good general appearance made by the well balanced con- 

 formation, free from coarseness in any part, and showing good style, 

 both at rest and in motion 15 



