60 SHEEP : BREEDS AND MANAGEMENT. 



early breeder of Hampshire Downs. It is worthy of note that 

 while Mr. Humphrey commenced upon a foundation of West 

 Country Down ewes, which had, as already explained, 

 originated in Southdown crosses made during many previous 

 years, Mr. Rawlence's original flock was " of the Sussex 

 breed." He commenced by drafting all the small and delicate 

 ewes, and crossing the larger and stronger ones with Hamp- 

 shire Down rams. Mr. Rawlence frequently used Mr. 

 Humphrey's rams, and thus obtained a fresh mixture of the 

 Hampshire Down and Babraham Southdown blood, which 

 was introduced with great skill and caution. The flock was 

 further refreshed by purchases of Hampshire Down ewes, to 

 which he put his own rams and used their produce. Mr. 

 Humphrey's rams were used on some of the best of his ewes, 

 and they again furnished sires for his flock. This process of 

 infusing new blood gradually, and of rigorous selection, at 

 length resulted in a flock of the highest possible merit, and 

 Mr. Rawlence, in consequence, is regarded by many as the 

 father of the breed. ^No one has done more to fuse the various 

 elements into one compact and typical breed of sheep, and the 

 Bulbridge flock became at length the foundation of many 

 others. Mr. Spooner, in 1859, speaks of Mr. Humphrey's 

 flock as distinct from any others, and applies to them the 

 expression sui generis, from which we infer that one more step 

 was necessary before the Hampshire Down could be regarded 

 as a uniform and homogeneous race. In the accomplishment 

 of this object Mr. Rawlence took the leading part, and we may 

 look on the Bulbridge flock as fairly representing the Hamp- 

 shire Down as we see him at the present time. Among other 

 breeders of the district which may be considered as the 

 particular native home as the Hampshire Down, I would 

 especially mention the late Mr. James Read, of Homington ; 

 Mr. Alfred Morrison, of Fonthill, who early brought his ample 

 means and skill to bear upon the improvement of these sheep ; 

 Mr. Dibbin, of Bishopstone ; the late Mr. Newton, of Dog- 

 dean ; Mr. Parsons, of Micheldever ; and Mr. R. Coles, of 



