574 SHEEP 



assumed that most of the choice flocks of the breed in America 

 are located in Ontario. While essentially a type of sheep suited 

 for a fertile, arable, or well-grassed country, level or slightly 

 rolling, it has seemed to adapt itself to a considerable range of 

 conditions. Within a comparatively few years Oxford rams have 

 grown in favor on the range west of the Missouri. But as a breed 

 the Oxford is not suited to a short-grass country. 



The promotion of Oxford Down sheep was first attempted in 

 an official way by the American Oxford Down Sheep Record 

 Association, which was organized in 1882 at Cincinnati, Ohio. 

 This association published its first flock book in 1883 and has 

 since then, up to 19 19, issued fourteen volumes, including the 

 registration of about 83,500 sheep. In 1888 the Oxford Down 

 Sheep Breeders' Society was organized at Oxford, England, and 

 the first volume of their flock book appeared in 1889, in which 

 fifty-four flocks were registered. Since its organization the Eng- 

 lish society, up to 19 18, has published thirty flock books and 

 registered 9270 rams, 3241 ewes; and 358 flocks. 



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