Sheep 



395 



FIG. 170. Shropshire ram. 



animals are intermediate between the Southdown and the Ox- 

 ford. The rams usually weigh about two hundred twenty-five 

 pounds and the ewes 

 from one hundred fifty 

 to one hundred sixty 

 pounds. In weight and 

 length of fleece the 

 Shropshire ranks among 

 the best of the middle- 

 wool breeds and the 

 wool is evenly distrib- 

 uted over the body, 

 often extending down 

 to the hoofs. 



Hampshire. The 

 breed noted especially 

 for the rapid and early growth of the lambs is the Hampshire 

 (Fig. 171). The animals are of the general mutton form, but 

 are tall, big-boned, rugged, and inclined to be somewhat coarse in 



appearance. The head 



is large, is wooled only 

 on ^ e forehead and 

 cheeks ; the remaining 

 parts are covered with 

 black hair. The nose 

 is Roman, which is a 

 distinguishing feature. 

 The ears are large, car- 

 ried straight out from 

 the head, and covered 

 with black hair the 

 same as on the face. 



FIG. 171. Hampshire ewe. 



The animals are large ; rams weigh about two hundred fifty 

 pounds and ewes from one hundred eighty-five to one hundred 

 ninety-five pounds. The fleece is not so good as in most of the 



