688 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
such quality that it filled a market requirement which had never before 
been met, their fleece was of good weight and with special density under 
the body to protect the sheep when lying on damp ground, and not only 
did the pure Shropshire fulfill the requirements but they strongly im- 
pressed these qualities in their offspring when crossed on other sheep. 
When people began to learn of this the demand for Shropshire blood in- 
creased and has steadily increased ever since. The breed greatly im- 
proved the common sheep and made an excellent cross with the fine- 
wools, and not only did the sheep produced by such crossbreeding meet 
the requirements but they have broadened the mutton demand into all 
sections of the country. 
First, the Shropshires came to one section and the improvement was 
not far reaching but it soon began to spread and has continued until the 
present day. The comparatively limited number of rams available in 
early years even retarded the improvement that sheepmen wanted to 
make when it was generally known what advancement mutton sheep 
were making. As better mutton has been produced from year to year, 
the demand has not only increased but has steadily changed for the best 
class. As the country's population has learned that first-class mutton 
is obtainable, a much greater quantity is being consumed. These facts 
are especially verified by the great change in market conditions. In days 
gone by there was not much discrimination when a car of sheep was 
set to market, but now the price varies exactly according to the quality 
of sheep being offered. Good ones bring good prices and the undesirable 
sheep bring that kind of prices. Has the Shropshire not been a main 
factor in bringing all this about? They proved that Shropshire-cross 
mutton was good mutton and thousands of people were ready to buy that 
class of meat. As the sheepmen have learned that was what is required 
the breeding of Shropshire sheep has expanded, but that expansion has 
hardly been as great as is the demand. Farmers have been well pleased 
because the Shropshire flock has taken a place on the general farm that 
nothing else seems to fill. The fact that the Shropshire is at the present 
day raised in every state in the union is because they have given results 
which are sought for by the agricultural population and they have the 
mutton that is sought for by the meat-eating public. They are the uni- 
versal sheep because they have "made good" from the beginning. Should 
not all sheepmen be thankful for this because it has placed the sheep 
industry of America on a solid foundation and made it a business of 
stability? Had this breed never been introduced here, what would have 
been the present condition of the industry? An answer to that question 
would lead to supposition, but it is safe to say that had the breeders have 
started with sheep which were not so hardy under all conditions and did 
not produce such a good mutton carcass when crossed on other breeds, 
their interest would have been slackened and desire to expand would have 
been cut off. Also, if the public had not been continually getting a better 
grade of mutton their demand would have contracted instead of expand- 
ing. But the Shropshire pleased the breeder and pleased the consumer, 
and our country is thankful for such a breed. The great strides forward 
which have been made are a benefit to all and we do not believe that any- 
one does not really in their own mind give all due credit to the Shrop- 
