444 JUDGING FARM ANIMALS 



flesh, 275 pounds or more, and ewes close to 200 pounds. 

 In form, the Oxford Down shows considerable width and 

 depth of body, with a fair leg of mutton. The wool does 

 not usually cover the head much below the forehead, though 

 the tendency is to breed to wool more heavily on the head. 

 The ears are comparatively large and generally free of 

 wool, and are much more conspicuous than in the South- 

 down or Shropshire. The legs, also, are not as a rule much 

 wooled below knees and hocks. The skin is frequently 

 bluish pink or mottled in color, rather than of uniform 

 pink. The fleece -combines length of staple and weight in a 

 superior degree, but inclines to be somewhat open, with ten- 

 dency to a coarse fiber. A year's growth of fleece should 

 weigh 10 pounds or more, and show a length at the shoulder 

 of about four inches. 



SCALE OF POINTS FOR OXFORD DOWN SHEEP. 



(Adopted by the American Oxford Down Sheep Breeders' Association.) 



Points 

 BREED TYPE, 30 Points: 



Form Of a good general appearance, made by a well-balanced con- 

 formation, free from coarseness in any part, and showing good 



style both at rest and in motion 15 



Head Of moderate length and width between the ears and between 

 the eyes, and well covered with wool over poll and down to the 

 eyes. Color of face an even dark gray or brown, either with or 



without gray spot on tip of nose 6 



Bams When fully matured and in good condition rams should weigh 

 250 to 350 pounds. Ewes When fully matured and in good 



condition, ewes should weigh 180 to 275 pounds 5 



Ears Medium size, not too thick and of an even brown or dark 



gray color . . 2 



Legs Short, strong in bone, flat, and of even dark gray or brown 



color, placed squarely under the body and well apart 2 



CONSTITUTION, 25 Points: 



Heart Girth Large and wide and full in the chest 10 



Movement Must be bold and vigorous 5 



Eyes Bold, prominent and bright 4 



Skin Bright pink in color 3 



Neck Strong and muscular in rams and well set on in both sexes . . 3 

 MUTTON FORM AND QUALITY, 30 Points: 



Shoulders, back, loin and rump Wide and straight on top from base 



of neck to tail 35 



Shoulders and thighs Full and well meated both inside and outside 5 

 Flanks Well filled and strong so as to make the lower lines of the 



body as straight as possible, and side lines straight or rather full . . 4 

 Carcass Evenly covered with good, well marbled meat 6 



