OCR Text |
Show OXFORD SHEEP ARE PROLIFIC- Breed Originated In England from Cross of Cotswold and Hampshire Hamp-shire Downs Grow Rapidly. Oxford sheep originated in England In the early part of the 19th century from a cross of Cotswold and Hampshire Hamp-shire Downs. They have been known since 1&57 as Oxfordshire or Oxford Downs, and are now widely distributed distrib-uted over the United States and Canada. Can-ada. They are the largest and heaviest heav-iest of the Down breeds. When in good flesh the rams should weigh 250 to 275 pounds, and the ewes from 200 to 225 pounds. The wool is rather . coarser than any other of the medium wool breeds, and the fleece is heavier, weighing from 10 to 12 pounds unwashed. un-washed. The face Is usually an even dark gray or brown, with or without a gray spot on the tip of the nose. They are best adapted for lands furnishing good pasture, and do not succeed as well under range conditions or on rugged, broken pastures. The ewes are very prolific, triplets being not uncommon. The lambs grow rapidly ant! are of good form. The chief shortcoming of the breed Is that It Is not as hardy as some others. |