128 



THE HAMPSHIRE 



mately eight pounds of unwashed wool, which is about two and one- 

 half inches long, fairly dense, and a trifle coarser than Shropshire 

 wool. To be typical the fleece must be all white, but an admixture 

 of dark fibers is not uncommon. Pure white wool extends over the 

 head, cheeks, and forehead to a line a little below the eyes. Of late 

 years breeders, especially those in the United States, have been in- 

 clined to favor an extension of wool over the face, and lambs with 

 almost as much face covering as Shropshires have appeared at shows. 

 On the legs white wool should extend to the knees and hocks. Most 

 show specimens, however, have the wool carried down almost, or 



FIG. 82. Hampshire ewes in show bloom: Two to left are yearlings; two to right are 

 lambs and are almost as large as the yearlings. 



quite, to the pasterns. Some American breeders have observed that 

 the woolly-faced ewes are not as heavy milkers and as a result do 

 not grow their lambs as well as the open-faced ewes (Fig. 82). 



Markings and Skin. The color of face, ears, and legs, is a very 

 rich, dark brown approaching black, which makes a sharp but 

 pleasing contrast with the white wool on the head, forehead, cheeks 

 and legs. Breeders are particular about color. A dark tinge in the 

 head wool is sure to give an animal a low rating in a high-class 

 show and a bar of light brown or gray hair across the face, just 

 below the wool cap, is unfavorably regarded in rams. 



