116 Sheep-Farming 



rest of the Down breeds, but they are inferior to the 

 latter in quality of frame and flesh. The Hampshires 

 are inclined to be coarse in bone, coarse in textile of 

 skin, and also in fleeces, all of which are opposed to 

 fine quality of mutton. 



Characteristics of Hampshire fleece. — The fleece 

 of the Hampshire, while possessing the quality of 

 density, is usually light, as eight pounds would be an 

 average return in unwashed wool from a flock. The 

 wool is coarse, as a rule, and frequently discolored. 

 Some districts in their native home have for a soil a 

 red clay which discolors the wool and renders the 

 fleece less valuable. The fleece covers the body, 

 as it does not peel much from the head or from the 

 belly. As a rule, the fleece is moist, indicating a 

 healthy and satisfactory condition in respect to the 

 quantity of yolk present. The wool is of medium 

 length, being about three inches long. 



Attributes for breeding purposes. — The Hampshire 

 is equally prolific with the other Down breeds. It 

 has been advanced against the breed that the lambs 

 make trouble in lambing, owing to the size and shape 

 of the head. It is certain that one of the char- 

 acteristics of the breed is to drop very heavy and 

 vigorous lambs. , One instance has been registered 

 of a Hampshire lamb weighing eighteen pounds at 

 birth. Ordinary lambs will only weigh one half of 

 this. The ewes and the rams are exceptional in 

 constitution. For crossing purposes, the Hampshire 



