DISTRIBUTION 



135 



the ewes continue to breed until they reach a ripe old age. Although 

 they are large sheep and quite capable of handling heavy forage 

 crops, they are also able to do fairly well on the feed furnished to 

 the average farm flock in the eastern and central parts of the United 

 States. This ability., together with their superior shearing qualities, 

 makes them desirable as a farmer's sheep (Fig. 89). 



On account of their heavy yield of milk and strongly developed 

 maternal instinct, Oxford ewes are splendid mothers. Twins are 

 frequent and the lambs are large, weighing about ten pounds at 

 birth. Singles frequently weigh more. The lambs grow rapidly 

 but they do not attain weight quite so rapidly as the Hampshire. 



FIG. 89. Lambs bred by the University of Illinois; sired by Oxford-Down ram in 

 Fig. 152 and out of Western ewes in Fig. 148. These lambs, born in March, made rapid 

 growth and were pronounced prime for the market before July 1st. 



Both in the United States and Germany, Oxford rams have 

 proved satisfactory for crossing on Merino and Merino-grade ewes. 

 Especially is this true when the female offspring are to be retained 

 as breeding stock for, in addition to the mutton qualities imparted, 

 a beautiful fleece of desirable weight is obtained. 



Distribution. At present the breed is well distributed over 

 Great Britain, the United States, and Canada, and flocks are to be 

 found in nearly or quite all of the leading sheep countries. The 

 American Oxford Down Sheep Record Association was organized in 

 1884 and the Oxford Down Sheep Breeders' Association of England 

 in 1888. Both associations issue an annual volume. 



