248 AGRICULTURE FOR COMMON SCHOOLS 



shires. The face is not so completely covered with wool, nor 

 is that on the forehead and top of the head so long as in the case 

 of Shropshires. The body is rounded and plump. The wool is 

 rather short but of fine quality. Fleeces average about seven 

 pounds. The mutton is of the best quality, being tender, 

 juicy, well-flavored, and fine-grained. The lambs mature 

 quickly and sell well on the market. Southdowns are found 

 everywhere, but their number is not so large as that of Shrop- 

 shires. 



The county of Hampshire, in England, is the native home of 

 the Hampshire breed. The breed has been developed within 

 the last century. It is one of the largest of the middle-wool 

 breeds. In a general way it resembles the Shropshire, but is 

 larger, coarser-boned, and does not produce so much wool, 

 nor is it of such good quality. The head is larger than that 

 of the Shropshire, and the face is not so completely covered 

 with wool. The face, ears, lips, and legs are dark brown or 

 black in color. The nose is Roman and quite prominent. 

 The mutton is excellent in quality, but smaller in quantity in 

 proportion to total weight than in the Southdown or Shropshire 

 breeds, owing to the larger bones. Hampshire lambs mature 

 early and are good sellers. This breed is not numerous in 

 the United States. 



The Oxford breed of sheep is of rather recent origin. It 

 was originated in the county of Oxfordj England, by the 

 breeding together of Cotswold and Hampshire stock. The 

 breed has become quite popular, owing to several good quali- 

 ties. Of these its large size is most prized. It is the largest of 

 the middle-wool breeds and almost equals the coarse-wool 

 breeds. It produces a heavy weight of excellent mutton and 

 shears a heavy fleece of coarse wool. The lambs do not ma- 



