342 THE BEEEDS OF LIVE-STOCK 



pecially where early market lambs are wanted. In this 

 country, Hampshire rams are especially prized for siring 

 lambs to be marketed at three to five months of age. 

 They are winning some favor on the range, as sires for 

 mating with Merino grade ewes. The lambs are said to 

 be good rustlers. Pure-breds will doubtless prove prof- 

 itable for the production of lambs to be marketed in the 

 early spring or summer. But pure-bred flocks will be 

 chiefly valuable in America for the supply of rams for 

 cross-breeding. 



As has been said, for wool-production the Hampshire 

 Down is very mediocre. The fleece is light, short and of 

 rather inferior quality. 



401. Distribution. This breed is now widely dis- 

 seminated throughout the United States and Canada, 

 especially in the eastern sections. It seems hardy and 

 well adapted to American conditions, and is a good grazer. 

 It has made its way throughout the southern counties of 

 England, and into all the English colonies. It is now 

 found in many countries, among which, aside from North 

 America, including Mexico, may be named Russia, Ger- 

 many, Portugal, Hungary, South Africa, Australia, New 

 Zealand and several parts of South America, notably 

 Argentina and Uruguay. 



402. Organizations and records. The Hampshire 

 Down Sheep Breeders' Association was organized in Eng- 

 land in 1889. The Hampshire Down Sheep Breeders' 

 Association of America was also organized in 1889, and 

 has issued thirteen volumes of its flock-book in which 

 the number of registrations is over 58,000. 



