246 The various Bi'eeds of Sheep in Great Britain. 
The present value of wethers is about \2hd. per lb. ; hogs, \?>^d. 
per lb. 
Bampton. — A breed peculiar to Somerset and Devon ; deep 
grown, good average combing wool, of similar kind to the Leicester 
breed. 
1 he present value of hogs is about 13rf. per lb. ; wethers, 12afZ. 
per lb. 
South Doion. — Small haired wool ; the tegs and longer wethers 
used for combing purposes, and the shorter for the manufacture 
of flannel and other light woollen goods. There is considerable 
difference in this wool, from the different localities, both as to 
quality and softness. 
The present value of ewes and wethers is 13d. to 13id. per lb. ; 
tegs, 13\d. to l-id. per lb. 
Hampshire Dowii. — A short wool, very similar to South Down 
in general character ; staple rather longer, and hardly so fine. 
The present value of ewes and wethers is \?>d. per lb. ; tegs, 
\3^d. per lb. 
Norfolk Doivn. — The Down wool grown in Norfolk is generally 
soft in its nature, but usually full of blue sand, which reduces its 
value. Some of the best and cleanest is very rich and beautiful 
wool. 
The present value of ewes and wethers is 12^6?. per lb, of 
sandy, lokZ. per lb. of clean ; tegs, IS^c?. to lAid. per lb. 
Skrojishire Downs. — Generally longer in the staple, and with 
more lustre tlian the other Down wools. The fleeces vary con- 
siderably, according to the original proportion of short-woolled 
or long-woolled blood crossed with the breed. 
The present value of wethers, &c., is \?>d. to \3\d. per lb. ; 
tegs, 13if/. to 14J. per lb. 
Dorset. — Rather longer in the staple and not quite so fine as 
the Downs, but for combing purposes quite as valuable ; clean, 
white, soft wool. In this country the lambs are generally shorn. 
The present value of Dorset fleeces, 13rf. per lb. ; of lambs' 
wool, to 18t/. per lb. 
Rijeland. — An old breed, almost extinct, very fine and short ; 
formerly used for clothing purposes. 
The present value about \3hd. per lb. 
Merino. — Some years ago there were many flocks of this breed 
kept in Hants and the adjoining counties : when fine wools were 
first used for combing purposes this wool realised very high 
prices ; Init after tlie introduction of Saxony and Australian wool 
for combing, these wools were to be bought much cheaper than 
the Merino, and it became little used. Merino wool generally 
came to market much heavier, and not so well washed, as Down 
wool. It was also much more wasty than Saxony or Australian. 
