342 DOMESTIC ANIMALS, DAIRYING, ETC. 



coming down as far as in the Shropshire. The ears are large, set on 

 somewhat low and falling slightly outward, as they do, give the 

 appearance of a very wide poll. In body Hampshires are of the ap- 

 proved mutton type, but they axe stronger boned and larger than 

 any other of the Down breeds. The wool is relatively short, but 

 dense and of strong fibre. 



The strong points claimed for the Hampshire are their size and 

 the early maturity of their lambs, no lambs excelling them in weight 

 at a siven age when well fed. It must, however, be remembered 

 that they are the sheep of the arable farm, able to consume a large 

 amount of food, and requiring an abundance of it before their good 

 points can be thoroughly evidenced. They have a place on our 

 farms, where pastures are good and plenty of stable feeding supplied. 



Oxfords. This breed is one of the more modern of sheep. Its 

 origin was the deliberate crossing of two distinct types of sheep, viz., 

 the Southdown and Hampshire, of the short-wools, and the Cots- 

 wold, of the long-wools. The result has been a breed almost if not 

 as large as the Hampshire, and uniting many of the diverse qualities 

 of long and short-wool sheep. The Oxford resembles in form the 

 Shropshire, but is generally larger and higher off the ground. The 

 fibres of wool are longer and somewhat stronger, but the fleece 

 itself is scarcely as dense as that of the Shropshire. The head is 

 larger and longer than that of the Shropshire, and is not so densely 

 covered with wool. The face may be a dark-gray or a brown, with 

 or without a gray spot on the tip of the nose. The ears are larger 

 and longer than those of the Shropshire, but should not be coarse, 

 and should be well carried. The Oxford is a noble sheep, and is 

 especially valued on account of its strength and size, for cross breed- 

 ing. In a measure, the statements made in regard to the feed neces- 

 sary for Hampshires also apply to the Oxfords. 



Suffolks. In appearance the breed is somewhat similar to the 

 Hampshire, .having the same black features and bat-like spreading 

 ears. The head, however, is usually bare of wool or carries but a 

 small amount on the forehead. They are not so blocky, compact 

 and low-set as the Shropshire and their fleece, though pure and dense, 

 is rather short. The Suffolk in its home, however, has been greatly 

 improved and is growing in favor, having distinguished itself par- 

 ticularly in the block tests at England's great Fat Stock Show, 

 Smithfield, London. No doubt more will be heard of this breed in 

 future years. 



The Dorset Horn. The horned sheep of Dorsetshire are also 

 classed with the Down breeds, but different from all the others in 

 the particular that, with their short wool, they have white faces and 

 legs, whereas, the other short wool breeds have dark faces and legs. 

 Their ancestry was a horned breed very similar to the ancestors of the 

 Hampshire Downs. Like the Southdown, however, they have been 

 improved entirely by selection and hence, are one of the purest 

 breeds in existence. The Dorset horned sheep is larger than the 

 Southdown, though scarcely as large as the Shropshire. In form and 

 fleece they are not unlike the Southdown, but generally more up- 



