DOWN AND HORN BREEDS. 37 



sheep were never so much impressed by the Berkshire Knot, which 

 is an additional reason for their being of lighter type than 

 the Hampshire. The late Mr. Saunders, of Watereombe, who was 

 acknowledged to have done much to improve the Hampshire 

 Down, and, in his day, was a successful exhibitor, held out against 

 the dark face, and in following his lead there is reason to believe 

 that Dorset men are acting soundly in aiming at a sheep which 

 naturally follows the features which its soil and climate promote. 

 The breed is being modified, but an outsider may think that to 

 be distinctive rather more boldness is desirable, and that some- 

 thing more than a rather smaller breed with a rather lighter face 

 should be aimed at, but it is obviously unfair to criticise at this 

 stage. As it is, the chief distinction between it and its allied 

 breed is that it shows more of the Southdown character. 



That it is a good type of sheep, and that the mutton is very 

 saleable, cannot be denied ; moreover, the wool is very clean, 

 all of which are strong factors in a breed. It is satisfactory that 

 those who are showing the breed are very enthusiastic and energetic 

 in their work. Whether the Cheviot, Exmoor, Rye land, or 

 other high-class small breed could not be imported with advantage, 

 and a more thorough re -casting be adopted, is a suggestion that 

 must come to the mind of some of those who are cognisant of the 

 breeding results being obtained in other places. The first aim 

 in a breed is to make it suitable for its district, but breeders of high- 

 class stock look for a more extended market, because, generally, 

 it is only in this way that great profits are obtainable to allow 

 them to go to great expense in experimental breeding. That 

 the breed, until it is more drastically treated, will carve out for 

 itself a following far from the district of its origin is doubtful. 

 That it is an excellent foundation stock to originate a breed in 

 association with some of the good minor races with special mutton 

 properties, and not too much fat, there can be little doubt. 



THE OXFORD DOWN. 



The Oxford Down, in its early days, was known as the Down- 

 Cotswold. Broadly speaking, it resulted from crossing the Cotswold 

 with the Hampshire, though Mr. Milton Druce, writing on the 

 subject of its origin some fifty years ago, thought that there might 

 have been a little help from the Southdown direct, though he 

 leaned to the view of the simple cross. From the cross a very 

 useful sheep has been evolved ; the largest with distinct Down 

 characteristics ; popular on some soils as a pure breed, and in 

 good demand in others for crossing, carries a heavy fleece, and 

 begets lambs well suited for the early fat lamb trade. It crosses 

 back well with the Hampshire, and on cold winter lair or arable 



