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THE OXFORD DOWN. 



The Oxford Down breed was formed about 1830 by mating 

 improved Hampshire ewes and a few Southdowns with Cotswold 

 rams, the aim being " to secure the superior quality, and therefore 

 a higher price per pound, of the mutton as compared with long- 

 woolled sheep, and the superior weight of wool and of mutton as 

 compared with short-woolled sheep." It was described in 1854 

 " as the most profitable sheep to the producer, the butcher, and the 

 consumer." 



Separate classes were provided for Oxfords at the Royal Show 

 for the first time in 1862. 



Characteristics of the Breed. The Oxford Down Sheep Breeders' 

 Association was formed in 1888, and the first volume of the Flock 

 Book appeared in the following year, giving the distinguishing 

 characteristics of the ram, viz., " a bold masculine head, well set on 

 a strong neck ; the poll well covered with wool and adorned by a 

 top knot ; the ears self-coloured and of good length ; the face 

 uniformly dark ; the legs short, dark-coloured (not spotted) ; the 

 mutton firm, lean, and of excellent quality ; the fleece heavy and 

 thick on the skin." 



The Oxford is the largest and heaviest of the Downs and the 

 wool is longer and looser and the fleece heavier than that of other 

 Down sheep. 



Distribution of the Breed. The majority of the pure flocks are 

 found in Oxfordshire and the surrounding counties, but in less 

 numbers they are kept in practically all parts of England, and 

 there are some well known flocks in Scotland. Oxfords were 

 imported into America in 1853, and since then they have found 

 their way into practically all the sheep-breeding countries. Apart 

 from the demand for pure flocks, the rams are in great demand 

 for crossing purposes Oxford crosses carry a heavy fleece, 

 grow to great size, and are well adapted for fattening off on turnips 

 in winter under northern conditions. 



Oxford Down rams were first introduced into the Scotch 

 Borders about 1867 and in late years several hundred Oxford rams, 

 practically all of which are used for crossing with Half-bred ewes, 

 have been sold annually in September at Kelso under the auspices 

 of the Border Union Society. The cross progeny of the Oxford 

 ram is slower in reaching maturity than the progeny of the Border 

 Leicester, but it can be fed to greater weights without becoming 

 too fat. 



Oxford Down Classes at the Smitlifield Show, 1902-1911. 



