No. 4.] SHEEP TOPICS. 397 



more difference in the average shear of the breeds. The Southdown 

 has no wool below the eyes, except, perhaps, tufts similar to those on 

 the Shropshire's ears, nor are the legs wooled so far down. An es- 

 pecially commendable characteristic of the breed in form is its un- 

 usually thick and plump leg of mutton. The breed is thick fleshed 

 throughout and is early in maturity, though not quite so heavy gains 

 can be averaged as with the Shropshire. The breed does well on hilly 

 land, is fairly hardy, yet thrives best on farms similar to those of the 

 corn belt. For wool production, even combined with mutton, one 

 would not choose the Southdown, their best use being in mutton 

 raising. Ewes are not up to the Shropshire in prolificacy, averaging 

 only from 120 to 130 per cent in the best flocks. The breed is too 

 small for the average farmer, and does not clip a heavy enough fleece 

 to satisfy one who wants a general-purpose sheep. 



A larger breed than either the Shropshire or Southdown, ranking 

 next to the Oxford among the "down" breeds, is the Hamj^shire, — a 

 breed in which the rams will average close to 240 to 250 pounds, and 

 the ewes nearly 200 pounds. More upstanding than either of the 

 smaller sorts previously described, Hampshires are not nearly as com- 

 pactly built. A large, black face, with black ears held in a peculiar 

 manner, the whole head set on the neck rather strangely, are dis- 

 tinguishing characteristics. The fleece extends down on the face, 

 only a little below the eyes, does not cover the ears, and usually leaves 

 the fore legs below the knees bare. As a wool producer their rank 

 is not liigh, because of a rather open fleece, with short staple. The 

 breed is particularly noted for large size of lambs at birth and their 

 early maturity. 



The largest of the middle-wool breeds is another "down," the 

 Oxford, which averages about 275 or more pounds for the ram, with 

 mature ewes above 200 pounds. This breed has a longer fleece than 

 any so far mentioned, but it is not so dense. Many flocks of Oxford 

 sheep average close to 11 pounds of unwashed wool per head. Ewes 

 are quite prolific, but scarcely lead the Shropshires on this point. 

 Heavy gains can be made with Oxford lambs, but they require a longer 

 time to fully mature than some other breeds, and do not fatten quite 

 as evenly as would be desirable. The Oxford is best suited to rich 

 farms, where plenty of grain can be furnished, and must be given 

 more protection than some of the other breeds. They resemble the 

 Shropshire slightly, except for the larger size, larger head, clean face 

 and longer, more pointed ears. Wool does not cover the legs so 

 completely as in the Shropshire. 



The Dorset horned breed is a white-faced, white-legged sheep, 

 carrying a rather open but fairly long fleece, has quite good mutton 

 type, though not quite so compact as the breeds already mentioned, 

 but has peculiar characteristics which deserve mention. Rams average 

 about 230 pounds, while ewes in fair flesh should tip the scales at close 

 to 160 pounds, probably more. In quality of mutton they are some- 



