OXFOKDDOWNSUIRE RaJI. 
In reality the only reason why these sheep should be called Downs, 18^ 
from their dark legs and faces. They really are not a short-wooled 
breed, in fact, as we have shown, they are a long-wooled race, and the 
characteristic has been carefully cultivated by breeders of this variety of 
sheep. In color, they are much lighter than the Southdown, their faces 
and legs being gray, instead of brown. The ewes are prolific, producing 
With good care, 150 lambs to the 100 ewes. They herd eioso together, 
SHEEP, DIFFERENT BREEDS, 
nearly as much wool, with thick compact fleeces, are hardy and healthy, 
have even, compact, uniformly symmetrical bodies, with dark brown 
faces and limbs, and are about one third heavier than Southdowns. 
XIII. Oxford Downs. 
This comparatively new family, which has come into prominence In the 
United States within the last twenty years, was originally made by cros*. 
ing the Hampshire or Southdown ewe with a Cotswold ram. They are easy- 
fattening sheep, producing mutton of superior quality, with fleeces of 8 to 10 
pounds for ewes and 12 to 13 pounds for rams, and in length from seven to 
eight iuche3; a wool of good luster ; neither hairy nor harsh. 
