MODERN SHEEP: .BREEDS AND MANAGEMENT. 65 



Among famous Oxford sires may be mentioned "Freeland," 

 bred at Fyfield, Eng., by Mr. A. F. Milton Druce, and let for the 

 season of 1875 to Mr. John Treadwell for the sum of 50 guineas and 

 afterwards hired for the sum of 85 guineas ; "Bryan," the property 

 of Messrs. Henry Arkell & Son, of Canada, and "Hampton Hero 

 III," used in the flock of Messrs. George McKerrow & Sons, of 

 Wisconsin. 



Among the leading Oxford breeders in America may be men- 

 tioned the Arkells and Lee & Sons, of Ontario, Mr. E. J. Stone 

 of Illinois and the McKerrows of Wisconsin. Among the Down 

 breeds in this country the Oxfords stand about second in numbers 

 and popularity. They have been exported from England to almost 

 all sheep-raising countries and have proved a success. Within the 

 past few years the breed has made steady progress. It has been 

 much in request for many years for crossing with the Merino in 

 Germany and other countries, and. the breeders in Argentina are 

 beginning to recognize its merits. The first Oxfords brought into 

 this country were imported in 1846 by Mr. Clayton Eeybold of 

 Delaware. 



The American Oxford Down Eecord Association was estab- 

 lished in 1881, with Mr. W. A. Shafor as its secretary. Strange 

 to say, the English Oxford Down Sheep Breeders' Association was 

 not formed until seven years later. 



The following is the description of a typical Oxford ram as 

 given in the English Oxford Down flock book: "He has a bold 

 masculine head, well set on a strong neck; the poll is well covered 

 with wool and adorned by a top-knot ; the ears are self-colored 

 and of good length; the face is an uniform dark-brown color; the 

 legs are short, dark-colored (not spotted), and placed well outside 

 him; the barrel is deep, thick, and long, with straight underline; 

 the chest wide: the back level; ribs well sprung; tail broad and well 

 set on ; the mutton is firm, lean, and of excellent quality ; the fleece 

 .is heavy and thick on the skin. As good wine needs no bush, so 

 Oxford Down sheep need little recommendation to practical farm- 

 ers. Alike on arable and grass lands they are at home. For 

 crossing purposes an Oxford Down ram can scarcely come amiss. 

 He will give size and weight to shortwools, and quality and good 

 mutton to longwools, without, in either case, impairing the original 

 good qualities of the flock. In these days, when 'better meat and 

 more of it' must be the watchword of the breeder, Oxford Downs 

 are bound to play a prominent part." 



THE SUFFOLK. 



An appeal by the author to S. E. Sherwood, Esq., of Play- 

 ford, Ispwich, Eng., for information in regard to this great mutton 

 breed of sheep brought the following interesting answer from his 



