60 HAMPSHIRE DOWN SHEEP. 



combined with the superior size and constitution of the latter. 

 The breed was commenced at the early part of the present 

 century ; and by a system of judicious crossing now possesses 

 the leading characteristics of the two parent breeds. In some 

 of the best farmed districts of Wiltshire, Hampshire and 

 Berkshire, they have gradually displaced the South Downs, 

 and have in themselves afforded another distinct breed for 

 crossing with the long-wooled sheep. Their leading character- 

 istics are, as sompared with the South Down, an increased size, 

 equal maturity, and a hardier constitution. The face and head 

 are larger and coarser in their character ; the frame is heavier 

 throughout ; the carcass is long, roomy, though less symmetrical 

 than the South Down, and the wool of a coarser though 

 longer staple. Their fattening propensity is scarcely equal to 

 that of the South Down. These points have all received great 

 attention lately from the breeders ; and the improved Hamp- 

 shire Down now possesses, both in shape, quality of wool, 

 aptitude to fatten and early maturity, all the qualities for which 

 the pure South Down has been so long and so justly celebrated. 

 The lambs are usually dropped early and fed for the markets 

 as lambs, or kept until the following spring, when, if well fed, 

 they weigh from 80 to 100 Ibs., and command a good market. 



" The Hampshire Downs are used like the South Downs for 

 the purpose of crossing with other breeds ; being hardier in 

 constitution they are perhaps better calculated for the Northern 

 districts, where the climate is sometimes very severe." 



Mr. Spooner, in a paper " On Cross Breeding," published in 

 the Journal of the Royal Agricultural Society of England, 

 1859, expresses opinions of this variety of sheep very similar 

 to those above given by Professor Wilson, and he makes the 

 following remarks in relation to their origin and blood : 



" We have no reason to suppose that after a few generations 

 the Hampshire breeders continued to use the South Down* 

 rams ; as soon as the horns were gone, to which perhaps the 

 Berkshire Notts contributed, and'the face had become black, 

 they employed their own cross-bred rams with the cross-bred 

 ewes. If then we were asked what original blood predomi- 

 nated in the Hampshire sheep, we should unquestionably say 

 the South Down ; but if the further question were put, is the 

 present breed derived from the South Down and the original 

 Hampshire alone, we should express* a doubt as to such a 



* Mr. Spooner in several instances terms them "Sussex" in the remarks I quote, 

 meaning thereby South Down ; and to prevent confusion among those not used to the 

 rmer name, I have changed it in every instance to South Down. 



