HAMPSHIRE DOWNS. 63 



Oxford Downs. Let anyone who wishes clearly to see the 

 peculiarities of the Hampshire study them in contrast to the 

 other breeds named in these particulars, and he will have no 

 difficulty in fixing in his mind the peculiar characters of the 

 Hampshire. 



Knowing the susceptibilities of breeders, it may be well here 

 to state that such reference to characters derived from a mixed 

 ancestry is no slur upon the breed as it at present exists. 

 The Hampshire Down has been too long established as a 

 breed, and too long bred entirely inter se, to be now charged 

 with being of mixed origin. Every race of sheep already 

 mentioned has been crossed, with the exception of the South- 

 down and possibly of the Leicester. It, indeed, seems to be 

 necessary, if robustness of type is to be maintained, to make 

 as a first step such crosses as were effected by Mr. Humphrey, 

 Mr. Rawlence, and, as has been asserted, was made by Mr. 

 Twynam with the Cotswold. One of the great arts of 

 breeding appears to be judicious crossing, followed by con- 

 tinuous breeding and weeding. 



The Hampshire Downs are well inured to life between 

 hurdles. So accustomed are they to this method that when 

 turned out they usually move about in mobs, often grazing in 

 a semi-circle, the foremost being in the centre of the curve. 

 The number of sheep which are maintained upon Wiltshire 

 and Hampshire farms is extraordinary. We have, for example, 

 on the College Farm at Downton, lambed down 550 ewes on 

 600 acres in a recent season, as well as having maintained 

 200 tegs. The summer stock, when the lambing season 

 proved to be very favourable, has consisted of about 1,250 to 

 1,300 sheep and lambs, besides a dairy of thirty cows and 

 young stock in proportion. 



This almost rivals the stock which Arthur Young mentions 

 as occupying Mr. Ellman's farm at Glynde a hundred years 

 ago, but the greater weight of the Hampshire Down sheep 

 must be taken into account. Such a stock can, of course, 

 only be maintained upon the acreage named in seasons when 



