southdown ram BANNER BEARER, formerly stock sire of Turlington Stock 

 Farm, Turlington, Nebraska, now owned by W, E. Spicer. 



DESCRIPTION OF THE SOUTHDOWN SHEEP 



1*HIS BREED, which is one of the oldest and purest, originated on the Downs of 

 Sussex in England and they represent a uniformity of type for mutton pur- 

 poses which may be accepted as a model of mutton form. The type shown by this 

 breed is very symmetrical, compact and close to the ground and there is a marked 

 refinement in every feature; the general structure being of fine quality whileevery 

 part strongly reflects the same characteristic. The head is moderate In size, short 

 and clearly defined in its lineaments. The forehead should be covered with wool and 

 the cheeks also but this usually does not join forward of the eye. There is a com- 

 plete absence of horns, with small pointed ears, the face is some shade of brown or 

 gray tint and the same markings should prevail on the legs. The neck is very short 

 and straight, the breast broad and full, the back is straight, well covered and 

 tightly knit, while the loin is wide, straight and smooth. The general form of the 

 body shows much depth and width with a trimness characteristic of every region. 

 The hips while markedly wide are not prominent, the hind quarter fills out square 

 and the twist and thigh are low and full. The fleece is characterized more by its 

 fineness and density rather than the weight of the wool which it yields as it is gen- 

 erally medium in length and comparatively free from yolk. A marked uniformity 

 in the quality cf the wool should be in evidence; that over the shoulder and that 

 which covers the thigh and other parts being very even in quality. The best types 

 of this breed may be accepted as a model form for the block. See official scale of 

 points, jmge 131. 



