1022 Gf Cl/OPBDIA or UTB S1O0K Ain> CKWPLBTB STOCK DOCTOB. 



the Cotswold and Hampshire-Down, and belongs to the middle-wools, as 

 well as to the special mutton breeds. In England they are regarded in 

 their own locality ^Yith favor. They are less hardy than the Cotswolds, 

 and in the United States have not been received with special favor. The 

 illustration of New-Oxfordshire ewe will show the general appearance of 

 the breed. 



VTL The Oxford-Downs. 



This excellent breed of Enghsh sheep is said to have originated about 

 the year 1830, by crossing a Cotswold ram on a Hampshire-Down ewe, 

 producing a sheep heavier than the Hampshire, resembling the Cotswold 

 in size and fleece, but finer and firmer in the fibre. The produce of these 

 parents were bred together, and careful selection ^produced sheep that in 



1862 were awarded a separate class at the English fairs. They are com- 

 paratively rare in the United States. It is said of them that, in a district 

 at the foot of the Cotswold hills, abounding in springy places, and re- 

 quiring extensive drainage, they have succeeded and thriven where 

 neither the Cotswolds nor the South-Downs would. A pen of these 

 sheep, shown at the Smithfield cattle show, in 1873, are repoiied to have 

 averaged, at 22 months old, 298 pounds each, or 885 pounds for the pen 

 of fchree. The average fleece is given as weighing 8 or 9 pounds, and of 

 the best quality for worsted manufactures ; and rams are reported af 

 having sheared 20 pounds of wool. The ewes are prolific, producing 150 

 lambs to the 100 ewes. The Oxford-Downs mature early, dressing 80 



