THE OXFORDSHIRE DOWN. 69 



It is scarcely a matter of wonder that the Oxfordshire 

 breeders should have seen the necessity of founding a flock- 

 book and society for the promotion of the breed. In the 

 case of a comparatively recent race, points require to be 

 established, and bad types must be discouraged, so as to 

 form a fixed character as speedily as possible. This first 

 point of importance has, we believe, been achieved through 

 many generations of careful breeding, and the Oxfordshire 

 Down is in all respects a distinct and thoroughly constituted 

 race ; and has added much to the agricultural wealth of this 

 country. 



It is curious to contrast the results which were thought 

 satisfactory in the early days of Oxfordshire sheep, when Mr. 

 Samuel Druce and Mr. Philip Pusey were in correspondence 

 about them. The carcase weight of tegs, at from thirteen to 

 fifteen months old, was judged to be in the case of these 

 improved sheep 76 Ibs., and that of Hampshires is put down 

 at 68 Ibs. I have less personal knowledge of Oxfordshire 

 Downs than of Hampshire Downs, but suppose they have 

 also greatly advanced since this estimate was recorded. I 

 should say that cull lambs of the Hampshire breed from a 

 good flock should weigh 85 Ibs. to 95 Ibs. at fourteen months 

 old, and that good representative tegs should have accom- 

 plished 80 Ibs. carcase weight at ten months without forcing. 

 Wether lambs are generally to be seen at Britford Fair on 

 August i2th, selling at 6os. ; and I, in 1883, sold 100 on 

 that day at 735. each. I have no doubt a similar result 

 could be obtained with Oxfordshire Down sheep, although 

 the Hampshire is especially quick in maturing. Much has 

 been said as to the diminution of sheep stock in this country, 

 but it should be remembered that a vast improvement and 

 advance have been made in the matter of rapid growth. What 

 used to take thirteen to fifteen months is now done in eight 

 or ten, and hence, although the flocks of the country are less 

 numerous, they are heavier per head, and the amount of 

 mutton delivered to the butcher is probably not less than it 

 used to be. 



