126 



THE HAMPSHIRE 



animals that did not promise to contribute to the end he had in 

 view. After his death, in 1868, his flock was sold at auction. Mr. 

 James Eawlenee, of Bulbridge, who from time to time purchased 

 stock of Mr. Humphrey, proved to be a worthy successor as a leader 

 in still further improving and promoting the breed. In founding 

 his flock his method was just the opposite of that of Mr. Humphrey; 

 he selected Southdowns for his female stock and mated them with 

 Hampshire rams (Fig. 80). 



FiQ. 80. — A prominent prize-winning Hampshire ram bred by H. C. Stephens, England. 

 Masaiveneas of body, heavy bone, thoroughly masculine features in the head, and a atrong 

 neck rising rather high where it joins the head are desirable characteristics of a Hampshire 

 breeding ram. 



Cause of Early Maturity. — Among Hampshire breeders most 

 of the rams in flock service are lambs, and the belief that the early 

 maturity of the breed has been brought about by the consistent con- 

 tinuance of this practice is prevalent. That it has been a contribut- 

 ing cause is altogether likely, but E. P. Squarey and J. E. Eawlenee, 

 in their history of the Hampshire Down as it appears in the first 

 volume pi the English Society, maintain that early maturity was 

 characteristic of the old Wiltshire (Fig. 81). 



