MORE IMPORTANT BREEDS OF SHEEP 443 



Points 

 Head and neck — Head short, broad between the ears and eyus, bold 

 and masculine in rams^ without horns, well covered with wool, cars 

 short and erect, eyes bright, color of face and ears dark brown. 

 Neck of medium length, strong and muscular (especially in rams), 

 symmetrically joined to head and shoulders. Rams with horns or 



stubs are disqualified as heads of flocks 15 



Legs — "Well set apart, broad, short, straight, color dark brown, and well 



wooled; pasterns strong and upright 5 



Total 100 



The Oxford Down breed of sheep originated in Oxford- 

 shire, in southern England, dating back to 1833. This 

 breed, in its improved form, resembles the Shropshire. It 

 is hornless and of the medium wool class. The color, as 



rig. 242. — Oxford Down ram owned by G. W. Heskett of Ohio. 



shown in the hair of head, ears, and legs, is a dark brown. 

 Years ago gray faces occurred, but at present the demand 

 is for dark color, though a touch of gray may occur on the 

 bridge of the nose. In size the Oxford Down is one of the 

 large breeds, and mature rams should weigh, when in good 



