134 THE OXFORD DOWN 



Wool. There is a little more of the face covered with wool in 

 the Oxford than in the Hampshire; the growth on the forehead is 

 long enough to form a distinct top knot which is intensified in show 

 specimens by leaving the forehead wool long at shearing time. In 

 twelve months Oxford wool grows to a length of from three to four 

 inches ; it is strong and lustrous and ranks with Hampshire wool in 

 fineness. Unwashed fleeces average from ten to twelve pounds in 

 weight. As a producer of wool no other Down breed equals the 

 Oxford. 



Markings and Skin. The color of the face, ears and legs in the 

 Oxford is a lighter brown than in the Hampshire. In fact the 

 typical Oxford brown has no suggestion of black about it, as there 

 is in the case of the Hampshire and Shropshire. Breeders allow 



FIG. 88. Oxford-Downs bred by the veteran, R. J. Stone, Stonington, Illinois. 



considerable variation in color markings, however, and shades rang- 

 ing from steel gray to dark brown pass as being typical. Oxford 

 breeders prefer sheep with bright pink skins to those with spotted 

 or bluish skins. Dark wool either on the head or body is objection- 

 able. The breed is hornless ; hence, any evidence of horns in rams 

 is undesirable (Fig. 88). 



Properties. Great size, outstanding weight and quality of wool 

 for a Down breed, prolificacy and deep milking properties are 

 attributes which Oxford breeders claim for their sheep. In addi- 

 tion it may be said that although the mutton is hardly as fine in 

 quality as that of the Southdown, it is good enough markedly to 

 improve the carcass when the Oxford ram is used in cross-breeding 

 and up-grading. 



Oxfords are fully as hardy as any of the dark-faced breeds and 



