OXFORD DOWNS. 251 



(2) At a later period the names of William Gillett of 

 South Leigh, J. Gillett of Brize Norton and J. Hitchman of 

 Little Milton are prominent among the many who helped to 

 improve the breed. 



V. Recognition at exhibitions. 



(1) They were first recognized as a distinct breed by the 

 Royal Agricultural Society in 1862. 



(2) For many years they were exhibited as crossbreds, 

 and were first called Oxford Downs in 1857. 



VI. Distribution of Oxford Downs. 



(r) The original central home of Oxford Downs was the 

 county of Oxford, but now they are somewhat numerously 

 found in 'several of the neighboring counties. 



(2) They are found in nearly every state and kingdom 

 in Europe, in South Africa, Australia, South America, Canada 

 and the United States. 



VII. Importations to the United States and 

 Canada. 



(1) Oxford Downs were first imported to the United 

 States in 1853 by R. S. Fay of Lynn, Mass., and William C. 

 Rives of Virginia. 



(2) Since 1880 considerable importing has been done both 

 by the United States and Canada. 



VIII. Organizations. 



(1) Registration has received attention both in England 

 arid America. 



(2) The American Oxford Down Sheep Record Associa- 

 tion was organized in 1884. 



IX. Distribution in the United States and 

 Canada. 



(1) Oxford Downs are distributed over thirty-one states 

 of the Union and over nearly all the orovinces of Canada. 



(2) Ontario, Indiana, Illinois, New York and Wisconsin 

 are the great centers of distribution, and probably in the order 

 named. 



X. Registration in the United States. 



(1) More than 18,800 Oxford Downs have been recorded, 

 of which nearly 8,000 are rams and the remainder ewes. 



(2) The number of individuals recording is 619, of whom 

 142 are in Ontario. 



