62 MODERN SHEEP: BREEDS AND MANAGEMENT. 



that the most celebrated breeders of what are now called the 'Ox- 

 fordshire Downs' visited my flock more than once or twice before 

 they made their final resolve of directing their energies towards 

 the establishment of that justly admired class of the fleecy tribe; 

 that fully one-half of the tup breeders in Hampshire used my 

 crossed tups with their Down ewes, and, selling one to another, 

 have given a universal dash of the Cotswold character to the flocks 

 in this county (Hampshire), whose improved size and symmetry, 





Stone Type of Oxford Ram. 



aptitude to fatten and arrive at early maturity, and marked increase 

 of length and weight of wool, furnish a mass of overwhelming evi- 

 dence of the benefit derived. I am in a position to prove that many 

 of what are termed the 'West Country Downs/ exhibited at the 

 Smithfield Shows, have sprung from this Cotswold cross." 



Professor Wrightson, the eminent English authority, remarks 

 that a good deal of crossbreeding on both sides was done before a 

 satisfactory type was obtained. They are a large, handsome sheep 

 and very alert and active on their feet for their size. The fleece 

 is the longest of any of the Down breeds. The quality of the 

 Oxford mutton is good. 



Before 1857 the Oxford Downs were called "Down-Cotswold." 

 In that year their title was changed to "Oxfordshire Down" and a 

 little later to "Oxford Downs." They are generally known in this 

 country as "Oxfords." 



