342 



A STUDY OF FARM ANIMALS 



art 



sac 



popular. A few of these sheep were brought to Delaware 

 in 1846, and since then the Oxford Down has been much 

 improved and has been gaining in popularity in America. 

 As stated, it is a large breed, the rams at maturity 

 often weighing 275 pounds or more, and the ewes about 200 

 pounds. The color of the hair on the face, ears, and legs is 

 a very dark brown, quite like the Shropshire. Oxfords are 

 not so heavily wooled over the head, and often the face is 

 rather free of wool, and the ears incline to be rather smooth 

 and large. Typical specimens have quite wide backs, fairly 

 good legs of mutton, and deep bodies. During recent years 



the breed has 

 been much im- 

 proved, the flesh 

 growing finer in 

 quality, and the 

 fat being laid on 

 more smoothly. 

 The fleece, which 

 fre quently 

 weighs 12 

 pounds, is long- 

 er, more open, 

 and coarser than 

 that of the Shropshire and grades usually in most of the 

 flocks of the country as quarter-blood combing. 



This breed has made a favorable impression on farmers in 

 the Middle West, where fairly early maturity, size, and heavy 

 fleece are wanted. The ewes are quite prolific, and, though 

 not equaling the Shropshires, make a very good showing. 

 The Oxford may be regarded as one of the most promising 

 breeds for future development. Recently flocks have been 

 extensively distributed to many sheep-growing countries. 

 There are more of these sheep on the fertile farms of 

 Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, New York, and Ohio, than 



Figure 145. Oxford Down ram, 2nd prize Ohio State 

 Fair, 1920. Photograph by the author. 



