THE OXFORD DOWN 



401 



lands. In the United States there are Oxfords in many states, 

 although Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, Wisconsin, and New York have 

 noted flocks, as well as Ontario, Canada, where the breed has 

 long met with favor. 



Organizations for the promotion of Oxford Down sheep first 

 came into existence in 1884, when the American Oxford Down 

 Sheep Record Association was established. This association pub- 

 lished its first flock book in 1883 and has since then up to 1906 

 issued ten volumes, including the registration of about 35,500 

 rams and ewes. In 1888 The Oxford Down Sheep Breeders' 

 Association was organized in England, and the first volume of 

 their flock book appeared in 1889, in which fifty-four flocks 

 were registered. Since then the English Association, up to 

 1905, has published seventeen flock books. 



The prices paid for Oxford Down sheep have not ranged very 

 high. In 1860 R. S. Fay had a sale at Lynn, Massachusetts, 

 when the prices ranged from $7.50 to $51.00 a head. The 

 annual Oxford Ram Fair in England shows something of prices 

 current for this breed. In 1900 at this sale the highest price 

 paid was 42 guineas ($210) for a yearling ram, and 50 yearlings 

 from the flock of Worley & Son averaged slightly over $50 per 

 head. In 1903, 60 rams sold by Mr. George Adams averaged 

 8 guineas ($40). The same year, at the sale of J. T. Hobbs, 

 at Cirencester, the draft from his flock averaged in excess of 

 $75 per head, one ram bringing 58 guineas ($290). In 1876 

 T. S. Cooper of Pennsylvania showed the ram Freeland at the 

 Centennial Exposition at Philadelphia, a famous prize winner 

 there and in England, which he hired of A. F. M. Druce of 

 England for $425. 



