124 Sheep-Farming 



would fairly represent the average of most flocks, 

 though 15 pounds is a common weight to be reached 

 by individuals. The wool is 4 to 5 inches long and 

 comparatively fine in fiber for the length. There is 

 probably more variation in the fineness of the fiber 

 in Oxford Down fleeces than in any other breed, the 

 wool of some representatives being remarkably fine 

 in fiber, while others are nearly as coarse as some of 

 the long-wooled breeds. The fleece is much denser 

 and more compact than any of the long-wooled rep- 

 resentatives, as it is very similar to that of the other 

 Downs in that point. 



Breeding qualities. — The Oxford are prolific and 

 the ewes are good nurses. A lamb and a half as an 

 average from each ewe in the flock is not uncommon, 

 and this is good testimony not only to the prolificacy 

 of the breed, but also offers good evidence of the 

 qualities of the ewes as mothers. One of the leading 

 agricultural societies of the country has offered 

 prizes to the shepherd who shall rear up to the first 

 of May the greatest number of lambs from the ewes 

 put to the ram. In 1886 the winner reared 198 

 lambs from 130 ewes, slightly better than one and 

 one half lambs from each ewe in the flock previous to 

 September. The next year in the same flock, 132 

 ewes gave a return of 213 lambs reared by the first 

 of May. There are other instances of larger returns 

 than this from smaller flocks, but those referred to 

 are satisfactory evidence of prolificacy and good 



