488 THE COMPLETE GRAZIER. BOOK iv. 



however, breeders have realised that where a breed is kept over a wide 

 area, the rigid uniformity of model which was possible when it was 

 confined to a few adjacent parishes, so to speak, is not to be looked for. 

 The precise effect of soil and climate on the development of sheep is a 

 matter which science may in the future be able to define and explain, 

 but at present we can only note that the modifications especially of the 

 fleece which result from varying farming conditions are as obvious as 

 they appear to be inevitable. 



THE HAMPSHIRE DOWN is a development, within the present century, 

 from the old Wiltshire horned sheep (fig. 119) and the Berkshire Nott 

 or Knot two indigenous breeds which ranged the Downs of Wiltshire, 



Fig. 119. The Old Wiltshire Horned Sheep. 



Hampshire, and Berkshire probably for centuries by judicious cross- 

 ing with the improved Southdown. The Wiltshire breed were distin- 

 guished by large spiral horns bending downwards, close to the head. 

 They were perfectly white in their faces and legs ; had long Roman 

 noses, with large open nostrils ; were wide and heavy in their hind- 

 quarters, and light in the fore-quarter and offal. The quality of the 

 fleece was that of clothing wool of moderate fineness, averaging nearly 

 3 Ib. in weight ; and the carcasses of the wethers, when fat, usually 

 weighed from 70 to 90 Ib. 



The following particulars of the present breed are taken from the 

 introduction, written by Messrs. E. P. Squarey and J. E. Rawlence, to 

 the first volume of the Hampshire Down Flock Book, published in 

 1890 : 



" Almost concurrent with the commencement of the enclosure of the 



