DOMESTIC BREEDS OP SHEEP. 21 



and extend out almost at right angles from the head. The fleece is 

 of medium quality and not as heavy as is desired, usually ranging in 

 weight from 6 to 8 pounds, and the greater portion of the wool grades 

 quarter and three-eighths blood combing. 



The Hampshire is unexcelled in early maturity, the rams commonly 

 being used for breeding purposes when from 7 to 9 months old. The 

 fecundity of this breed is very creditable, though some of the others 

 surpass it slightly in this respect. 



The principal criticism of the Hampshire is that they require the 

 best of attention or they soon become " weedy." They require an 

 abundance of food and are not satisfactory where pastures are short 

 or broken. 



The Hampshire Down Sheep Breeders' Association of England was 

 organized during December of 1889 at the Agricultural Hall, Isling- 

 ton, during Smithfield week. The Hampshire Down Breeders' 

 Association of America was organized November 4, 1889. To Jan- 

 uary 1, 1914, 49,640 sheep have been registered by this association. 

 The secretary is located at Coldwater, Mich. The following is the 

 standard of excellence of the American association: 



HEAD AND LEGS. 



Head: Moderately large, but not coarse; well covered with wool on forehead and 

 cheeks. 

 Nostrils: Wide. 



Color (head and legs): Dark brown or black. 

 Eyes: Prominent and lustrous. 



Ears: Moderately long and thin, and dark-brown or black color. 

 Legs: Well under outside of body; straight, with good size of bone; black. 



NECK, SHOULDERS, AND CHEST. 



Neck: A regular taper from shoulders to head, without any hollow in front of shoul- 

 ders; set high up on body. 



Shoulders: Sloping, full, and not higher than the line of back and neck. 

 Chest: Deep and full in the heart place, with breast prominent and full. 



BODY. 



Back: Straight, with full spring of rib. 



Loin: Wide and straight, without depression in front of hips. 



Quarters: Long from hips to rump, without sloping, and deep in thigh; broad in 

 hips and rump, with full hams; inside of thigh full. 



SCALE OF POINTS. 



Head : Size and shape, 5 ; ears and eyes, 3 ; color, 5 ; legs and feet, 2 15 



Neck, shoulders, and breast: Neck, 5; shoulders, 10; chest and breast, 15 30 



Body: Back and loins, 15; rib, 5 20 



Quarters: Length, 10; width, 10; twist, 5 25 



Wool: Forehead and cheeks, 2; belly, well covered, 3; quality, 5 10 



Total 100 



