156 PRINCIPLES OF BREEDING. 



twenty years, they possess so good a degree of uniform- 

 ity as to be entitled to the designation of a distinct breed, 

 and have lately been formally recognized as such in Eng- 

 land. They were first introduced into Massachusetts 

 by R. S. Fay, Esq., of Lynn, and into Maine by Mr. 

 Sears, both in 1854. They were first bred with a view 

 to unite increased size with the superiorit}^ of flesh and 

 patience of short keep which characterize the Downs. 

 It is understood that they inherit from the Cotswold a 

 carcass exceeding in weight that of the Downs from a 

 fifth to a quarter ; a fleece somewhat coarser but heav- 

 ier than that of the Downs by one-third to one-half; 

 and from the latter they inherit rotundity of form and 

 fullness of muscle in the more valuable parts, together 

 with the brown face and leg. 



In reply to a note of inquiry addressed to Mr. Fay, 

 he says : " I selected the Oxford Downs with some hes- 

 itation as between them and the Shropshire Downs, 

 after a careful examination of all the various breeds of 

 sheep in England. My attention was called to them 

 by observing that they took, (1854,) without any dis- 

 tinct name, all the prizes as mutton sheep at Birming- 

 ham and elsewhere, where they were admitted to com- 

 pete. They were only known under the name of half 

 or cross bred sheep, with name of the breeder. Mr. 

 Rives of Virginia and myself went into Oxfordshire to 



