Breeds of Sheep 209 
In Berkshire there was another large, strong-boned, and horned 
type known as the Berkshire-knot sheep. These two types were 
interbred and crossed with the Southdowns, which resulted in a 
type known as the West Down, the ancestor of the present-day 
Hampshire. 
Marked improvement of the Hampshire breed began about 
1834 under the leadership of William Humphrey of Oak Ash, New- 
bury. He procured a choice flock of West Downs and began his 
work by selection, but later conceived the idea that crossing would 
be of advantage. Consequently he obtained three Southdown 
rams from Jonas Webb, and crossed on his ewes with success. 
333. Hampshire compared with Southdown. — The former is 
the larger and coarser throughout, with the fleece somewhat re- 
sembling that of the latter, although it is coarser and less dense. 
The face of the Hampshire is inclined to be long, and the nose 
somewhat Roman in the rams. The ears are large and drooping, 
and the face and legs almost black. As compared with the Shrop- 
shire, it is longer in body, and longer of leg; which, in connection 
with its coarse features, gives it a very much larger general ap- 
pearance (Fig. 77). 
334. Oxford Down mutton sheep. — This breed was developed 
in England, principally in the county of Oxford. The origin of the 
Oxford Down breed of sheep is comparatively recent. “About 
1829, John T. Twynham conceived the idea of developing a new 
breed of sheep combining the desirable qualities of the long-wooled 
breeds and of the Down breeds. He began breeding by mating 
compact Costwold rams with Hampshire ewes. A little later, 
perhaps about 1833, Samuel Druce and William Gillet began a 
similar line of breeding, and introduced Southdown blood to some 
extent, although the Hampshire was the chief source of Down blood. 
Up to 1857 the breed was known as Down-Cotswold, but in that 
year the name “ Oxfordshire Down” was adapted. Later it was 
changed to Oxford Down, and is now commonly spoken of as 
Oxford. 
P 
