192 PRINCIPLES OF STOCK-BREEDING. 



In Wiltshire, where the same old horned stock 

 originally prevailed, a different system was practised 

 the improved Southdown gradually took the place 

 of the old breed, which soon disappeared. The im- 

 ported Southdown ewes were after a time crossed 

 with improved Hampshire rams, that already had a 

 large proportion of Southdown blood, for the pur- 

 pose of giving an increase in size. 1 



The Morfe Common sheep of Shropshire were a 

 small, fine-wooled race, accustomed to short pastures 

 and scanty fare. The improved Shropshire, the result 

 of a cross of the old race with the Cotswold, Leicester, 

 or Southdown, is larger, more compact, fattens more 

 rapidly, and in general qualities is better adapted to 

 an improved system of husbandry. 



The new Oxfordshire breed, which is highly prized 

 in many localities, was obtained by crossing Cotswold 

 rams on Hampshire or "West Country Down sheep. 2 



" There are few districts in England in which some 

 advantage has not been derived from the cross-breed- 

 ing of sheep. Even the little mountain-sheep of "Wales 

 has been greatly improved by the Cheviot ram, a 

 larger, superior, but still a mountain-sheep. 



" At the same time the Cheviots themselves have 

 been improved for the butcher by crosses with the 

 Leicester, the Cotswold, and the Down. Their prog- 

 eny have been increased in size, and fatten more 

 readily." " 



1 Journal of the Royal Agricultural Society, vol. xx., p. 303. 

 8 Ibid., p. 308. 



3 Spooner on " Cross-Breeding." Journal of the Royal Agricultural 

 Society, vol. xx., p. 309. 



