38 BRITISH SHEEP AND SHEPHERDING. 



land no sheep beats this cross. It may be regarded as the typical 

 breed of the Oolites, where other Down breeds do not do their 

 best ; for without some pronounced proportion of Cotswold blood 

 these soils are too chilly in wet folds for sheep not well protected 

 against mud. 



This feature of resisting cold doubtless accounts for the large 

 number of Oxford Down rams which yearly go to Scotland. It 

 is largely used on longwools when it is desired to maintain or 

 increase size and give Down quality to the mutton. It has rather 

 too great a tendency to produce fat on the back to compete in 

 price with some of the finer quality Downs, but it comes to great 

 weight quickly, and on some soils is a decidedly popular sheep to 

 keep. It is of a more distinctive Down character than it was a 

 quarter of a century ago ; the Cotswold forelock has to some extent 

 been modified in the endeavour to imitate the head covering of 

 some other Down breeds ; in fact, one felt well certain a few decades 

 ago that some flockowners had hastened the advancement of the 

 breed by further recourse to other Down breeds. On the whole, 

 this has had a good result, and at no time in their career have 

 these sheep been so strictly typical. The breed is very popular 

 in crossing with certain longwools, notably with the Lincoln, in 

 districts where there is still a ready sale for big mutton. It is an 

 impressive breed, and its influence on longwool mutton is very 

 marked, greatly adding to its value and popularity by producing 

 the Down flavour and removing the more tallowy element in the fat. 



The breed is in considerable demand for crossing with several 

 breeds to get fat lamb, as good quality and big weights are obtain- 

 able. Even when pure, lambs are easily got to 40 Ib. to 50 Ib. 

 in three to four months. The wool has been much improved 

 in late years, as the breed has assumed more Down-like type ; it 

 is longer than the ordinary Downs if not quite so fine. On the 

 whole the Oxford, in assuming more of the Down type, and a 

 greater trueness to type than it had thirty years ago, has come 

 more into line with modern requirements where a big sheep is 

 demanded. 



The Oxford Down Sheep Breeders' Association publish the 

 following description of the breed : 



The Oxford Down has a bold masculine head well set on a strong 

 neck, with poll well covered with wool. The face a uniform dark 

 colour, the ears of good length, the shoulder broad, with a broad 

 breast, well forward. A full level back, the ribs well sprung, the 

 barrel deep, thick and long, with straight underline. The legs 

 are short and dark coloured, standing square and well apart. 

 The mutton is firm, lean, and of excellent quality. The whole 

 body is covered with wool of close texture, good length, and fine 

 quality. 



