THE MUTTON BREEDS OF SHEEP 341 
398. History in America. — Hampshire Down Sheep 
were imported into America in 1855 by Thomas Messenger 
of Long Island. No further importations are recorded 
until 1881. In that year, Henry Metcalf, of Canandaigua, 
New York, imported the ram, Shepherds’ Pride 2. In 
1883, the breed was introduced into Michigan, and in 
1885 into Ohio. 
399. Description. — The Hampshire is a_black-faced 
breed, larger than the Shropshire, and is ranked by some 
persons as the largest of the Down breeds, although that 
distinction is generally accorded the Oxford. An average 
weight should be 250 pounds for mature rams, and 185 
to 195 for mature ewes (Plate XIII). 
It is the coarsest in bone and head of any of this group. 
Its fleece somewhat resembles that of the Southdown, 
although it is coarser and less dense. The breed ranks 
rather low in wool-production, the Suffolk only ranking 
lower. The wool is of about the same grade as that of 
the Shropshire, but shorter, and covering the body less 
completely. The face is inclined to be long, and the nose 
somewhat Roman in the rams. The ears are large and 
drooping, the face and legs are almost black, or a very 
dark brown. As compared with the Shropshire, it is 
somewhat longer in body and leg, and perhaps 10 per cent 
heavier. The ewes are prolific and heavy milkers. They 
strongly compete with the Shropshire in the production 
of twins. 
400. Uses of Hampshire sheep. — The claim of the 
breed to superiority is based on the rapidity with which the 
lambs grow. In England, the flocks are generally folded, 
and the lambs fed for rapid development. It is not 
unusual for a Hampshire lamb to gain a pound a day. 
The breed ranks very well for mutton-production, es- 
