British Breeds of Sheep 125 



nursing qualities of the Oxfords. As a rule, the Ox- 

 fords are reliable breeders, though there is perhaps 

 more variation in the results of the mating than is 

 desirable. The breed is growing more permanent 

 in character and type, and as they become more 

 strongly developed, greater certainty in the reproduc- 

 tion of their qualities will result. 



Adaptability of Oxford Down. — Being a large 

 sheep, the Oxford must necessarily have good fare, 

 and that implies abundant pasturage with the arable 

 land to grow the fodder and grain crops that are nec- 

 essary for making heavy weights. The Oxford is of 

 rugged constitution and able to withstand exposure, 

 but it does not possess the activity and disposition 

 required of good foraging sheep. 



The Sttffolk 



The home of the SuflFoIk is in southeastern Eng- 

 land, chiefly in the shires of Norfolk, Suffolk, and 

 Essex. The land upon which and for which the 

 breed has been developed is somewhat elevated and 

 exposed to dry easterly winds. The grasses are 

 referred to by Low as hard and wiry and the sheep 

 as having to traverse larger areas in grazing than in 

 other sheep-raising areas. The native type evolved 

 before systematic improvement began was known 

 as the old Norfolk breed. They were long-bodied 

 and muscular, long in limb, and carried their heads 



