CHAPTER LIII 



THE HAMPSHIRE DOWN 



The native home of the Hampshire Down breed of sheep is in 

 south-central England, in the county of Hampshire, which, on 

 its southern border, touches the English Channel. Like all of 

 south England, the climate is temperate and rather moderate 

 the year round. The land is rolling, with the downs more or 

 less crossing the county. The soil is of a chalky character and is 

 none too fertile, producing short, fine grass, and suited to wheat, 

 while roots do well on the better lands. 



The origin of the Hampshire Down sheep traces back to at 

 least two sources, crossed with improved stock. In the counties 

 of Hampshire and Wiltshire, and also to some extent in other 

 near-by counties, were large, slow-maturing, white-faced, narrow- 

 backed, fine-fleeced sheep with horns, known as Wiltshires. The 

 horns turned back behind the ears and about the cheeks, from 

 which peculiarity they were known as "crooks." There were 

 no other sheep like them in England, and by 1837 they had 

 practically disappeared as a result of crossing. In the county of 

 Berks there was also another old type with horns, strong and 

 vigorous, with dark face and legs. Early in the last century these 

 two types were crossed again and again with the Southdown. 

 About 1835 the sheep of Hampshire and Wiltshire generally 

 showed Southdown type and character, and they were exhibited 

 at the Royal Agricultural Society Show at Oxford in 1840 as 

 IVest Country Down sheep, which name they long retained. From 

 this stock was evolved the present type known as Hampshire 

 Down. 



The early improvement of the Hampshire Down is largely due 

 to Mr. William Humphrey of Oak Ash, Newbury, Hampshire, 

 and Mr. James Rawlence of Bulbridge, Wilton, the same county. 

 Besides these Messrs. Stephen King, William King, Moore of 



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