Farming oj OxfonhJdre. 
231 
The Eynsham flock has also been in existence for nearly 20 
years, and from the time of its formation to the present day 
there has been no return to the original breeds. The yearling 
sheep attain to a great size, and some at 22 months old have 
weighed 44 lbs. per quarter. These sheep have been fortunate 
in obtaining several premiums, and a splendid pen this Christ- 
mas carried off the prize as the best pen of cross-bred sheep in 
the Smithfield Show. Thirty or forty rams are bred which are 
sold as shear-hogs, and average above 8/. each. 
The proprietor of the Brize Norton flock founded it 16 years 
ago, putting a Cotswold ram to some half-bred Sussex and 
Hamsphire-down ewes. This may in a measure account for 
the good quality of mutton and large fleece these sheep produce. 
One ram as a shearling clipped 14 lbs. of wool, and next year 
12 lbs. Ewe tegs, which are kept as stores, each yield 7 or 8 lbs. 
A ram from this flock gained the first prize at the Society's 
Meeting at Gloucester. The rams are sold by auction ; 61 were 
disposed of this year, 52 by sale and 9 on hire. The average 
•was above 12/., a fair indication of the high position these sheep 
hold in public opinion. 
The Down-Cotswolds at Little Milton have been bred there 
nearly 20 years, and have achieved great success at Smithfield, 
having for five successive years obtained the first prize. The 
foot disease sadly crippled the flock, and for a time they were 
not successful, but they again appeared this year as winner of 
the second prize and medal for extra stock. The worthy owner 
of this flock disposes of his rams Avhen they are lambs, and the 
price this season averaged 11. per head. 
In addition to these crack flocks there are some less noted, 
but not less meritorious, breeders. The half-breds at Elsfield, 
Cuddesden, and Ewelme are in every way worthy of the highest 
commendation : while througliout the county are seen flocks 
of a very useful and uniform character. 
The county of Oxford is second to none in the management of 
its sheep. Many lambs are born and fatted as tegs at 15 months 
old which have not received any corn or cake, and which have 
never been outside a hurdle till leaving the farm. The constant 
supply and proper succession of food for sheep on arable land 
requires much steady foresight and calculation. The subject 
has been recently discussed in the Society's Journal by one of 
the best farmers in the kingdom, but it is so distinguished a 
feature in the agriculture of this county, that no apology is 
offered for again bringing it forward. The following Table will 
show the food that is mostly provided for the sheep on arable 
lands during each month of the year : — 
