76 



HAMPSHIRES USED ON RANGES 



Figure 3 Hampshire sheep came originally from the Hamp- 

 shire district of England. They have strong constitutions, size, 

 and mature early. Rams 

 should weigh when ma- 

 tured 300 pounds or more, 

 and ewes 200 pounds or 

 more. Flocks of breed- 

 ing ewes average from 7 

 to 10 pounds of wool. 

 Wool is medium length 

 and of strong fibre. 

 Hampshires have large 

 heads with Roman faces. 

 The face and legs are the 

 blackest of any of the 

 down breeds. Hamp- 

 shires have good mutton carcasses with strong, bony legs and 

 large, open feet. The last year in which we have full statistics 

 more Hampshires were imported into the United States than all 

 other breeds combined. Hampshire rams are much used on the 

 western ranges. 



Fig. 3 Hampshire Ram, owned by C. O. Judd, 

 Kent, Ohio 



Figure 4 Oxford sheep originated in Oxford County, Eng- 

 land, from a mixture of the Hampshire and Cotswold. Oxfords 



are large. Rams weigh 

 from 250 to 300 pounds 

 and ewes 175 to 250 

 pounds ; are broad 

 and square in form and 

 are rapid growers when 

 well fed. The fleece is 

 long and moderately 

 open. Oxford sheep are 

 very heavy boned. Head 

 and face are somewhat 

 like Shropshires, gray 

 and brown in color. 



The breed you choose 

 is not so important as to have good sheep of that breed. 



Good breeding without good feeding is a waste of time and 

 energy. 



Fig. 4 Oxford Ram, owned by Geo. McKerrow 

 & Sons, Pewaukee, Wis. 



