THE HAMPSHIKE DOWN. 49 



in the brisket; ribs well sprung; back straight; broad acrosa the 

 loin ; the quarters are long and broad ; the hams round and heavy. 

 The ears are characteristic of the breed. They are thin and mo- 

 bile, falling outwards slightly, giving the appearance of great 

 width of poll. The head is Avell covered with wool between the 

 ears and on the cheeks. The wool is medium length, and of 

 strong fibre. Mature rams weigh up to 300 pounds and ewes a 

 trifle over 200. 



As a race of sheep they possess constitutional vigor; mature 

 early; the lambs possess excellent fattening qualities. The ram 

 is endowed with remarkable prepotency, indelibly leaving his 

 mark on his offspring, making him a valuable animal to cross on 

 common ewes. 



We print here the standard of excellence for Hampshire 

 Downs as recognized by the Hampshire Down Breeders' Associa- 

 tion of America : 



Standard of 6xcelUnce. 



Head — Moderately large, but not coarse; well covered with 

 wool on forehead and cheeks. 



JSTostrils — 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, mth good size 



of bone, black. 



Neck — A regular taper from shoulders to head, without 

 any hollow in front of shoulders, 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 prom- 

 inent and full. 



Back — Straight, with full spring of rib. 



