346 TKANSACTIONS OP THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



They, like the Cotswolds, have been improved by an admixture 

 of Leicester blood. The present improved Lincoln sheep partakes 

 largely of the peculiarities of the Cotswold and Leicester, having 

 the expansive frame and nobility of appearance of the one, with 

 the quality of flesh, compactness of form, beauty of countenance, 

 and propensity to fatten of the other ; but they far exceed either 

 in weight of fleece. Three year olds sometimes weigh 96^ pounds 

 to the quarter, and yearlings *71 pounds. The weight of wool of 

 an entire flock, under fair average management, is about 8^ 

 pounds each; weight of carcass at 28 months, 160 pounds. The 

 Lincoln breeders consider the mutton excellent, having less fat 

 and a greater proportion of fine-grained, lean flesh, than the 

 Leicesters. The ewes are good breeders, but, like the Cotswolds 

 and Leicesters, they are not good sucklers. 



6. Shropshires. — These are crosses. Their merit consists in 

 their superiority over any other breed in their own country. They 

 possess hardiness of constitution, excellent quality of mutton, 

 and are prolific breeders ; but they are not equal to other breeds. 



7. Oxfordshire Downs. — This breed of sheep was produced 2*7 

 years ago, by crossing the Hampshire, and in some instances 

 Southdown ewes, with Cotswold rams, and then putting the crosses 

 together. They drop their lambs in February, and at 13 or 14 

 months old they are ready for market, weighing, on an average, 

 140 pounds each, with a fleece varying from Y to 10 pounds. 

 The ewes are good mothers, and produce a great proportion of 

 twins. 



We might add here, as these last two breeds are crosses, that 

 Mr. Howard stated, as the conclusion of his experience and ad- 

 dress, "that from a judicious pairing of cross-breed animals, it is 

 practicable to establish a new breed altogether," and for some 

 locations better fitted than most of the existing breeds. 



Subject for next meeting, — " Hedges and walls for fences." 



Adjourned. 



JOHN BRUCE, Secretary pro tern. 



February 18, 1861. 

 Present, 109 members. Mr. Wm. Lawton, of New Rochelle, in 

 the chair. 



GRAFTS FOR DISTRIBUTION. 



Wm. L. Carpenter furnished apple and pear grafts for free 



