296 
Farming of Hampshire. 
more will tho offsprinjy take after a well bred sire. Still, even in 
appearance the new Hampshires assert their descent from old 
Hampshire mothers. They are larger than the Sussex downs, 
especially about the head and face — carcase longer and more 
roomy ; generally coarser, and of a heavier frame. Their wool 
is of a large staple and coarser, not so close ; not curling with 
spiral ends. As to the comparative fattening qualities of the 
Hants and Sussex downs, an elaborate experiment, recorded by 
Mr, J. B. Lawes, and reported in the 28th number of the 
Society's Journal, confirms the truth of the current opinion, 
that the Hants come earlier to maturity (crosses generally do) ; 
but that the Sussex, when ripe, give more valuable offal to the 
butcher, Mr, Lawes's balance-sheet of the two lots cannot be 
said to show any pecuniary advantage on either side. The 
Hampshire were larger, and sold individually for a higher price ; 
but the Sussex realised more money per pound. The Hampshire 
fleeces also were heavier (perhaps by 1 lb, on a teg) ; but the 
Sussex wool at those times made a higher price ; now the prices 
are much the same. Again, you can keep (such is the general 
computation) 5 per cent, more Southdowns than Hampshires, 
But the existing breed has been further mixed. It is not 
everywhere a simple cross between the old Hampshires and the 
Sussex, Some thirty years or more since, Mr, John Twynam 
(now residing at Winchester) put CotsAvold rams to his Hamp- 
shire down ewes. It was a doubtful experiment to combine long- 
wool blood with short, and not calculated to found a new race. 
The relative merits of this cross, and of the pure Hants blood 
have been fairly tried in the county, A certain number of each 
were fed together : at the end of the first year the cross was 
ahead ; at the end of the second, the pure blood — a result in 
accordance with the general rule that a cross is best for early 
maturity, but not for stock. But, however extensively crossed 
before, the Hampshire blood is now generally kept pure, though 
there are not wanting, here and there, signs of degeneracy — sheep 
with tendencies to hairy wool, big bones, and sour heads ; sure 
indications of the coarse and unthrifty ewe from which they 
came. 
The Sussex downs are in favour with gentlemen farming their 
own estates, for the finer quality of the mutton ; but the Hamp- 
shire downs are the tenant's sheep, and the sheet-anchor of his 
farm. If he can keep one sheep to a pound's rent (and this is a 
better mode of reckoning than by acreage), it is a good average ; 
and if there be 380 lambs from 400 ewes, or 5 per cent, less than 
the mothers, it is considered good luck ; 360 would be nearer 
the mark. All are raised for stock. Some of the best wethers 
(say 100), the farmer picks out for the lamb-fairs at Stock- 
