MORE IMPORTANT BREEDS OF SHEEP 



445 



WOOL, 15 Points; ,. ■ ,1. 



Fleece— Of moderate length, close and of even quality, covering the 

 whole carcass well, and free from black patches upon the body, 



neck or head 



15 



Total 



100 



The Hampshire breed of sheep originated in. Hampshire, 

 in southern England. This is a large, hornless breed. The 

 color of the hair on head, ears and legs is a very dark 



Fig. 243. — Hampshire ram, champion at Ohio State Fair. 



brown, almost black in shade. In size the Hampshire ranks 

 among the largest medium wool breeds, mature rams weigh- 

 ing about 250 pounds and ewes from 175 to 200 pounds. 

 Among the most distinctive characteristics of individuals of 

 the breed are the following: the head is somewhat large, 

 with a tendency to Koman nose ; the ears are large, bare of 

 wool, conspicuous, and often of droopy carriage; the wool 

 extends but a slight distance over the forehead, so that the 



