Agriculture of Shropshire. 59 



high degree of remuneration for the sheep-farmer. There were 

 3 very good wethers froin this flock (33 months old) exhibited 

 at Birmingham (1857) which weighed 50, 46, and 45 lbs. per 

 quarter respectively, and yet they were beaten by other ex- 

 hibitors. The culled ewes from such flocks would average from 

 25 to 28 lbs. per quarter when fat, and the wethers at twelve 

 months old would be above 20 lbs. per quarter. These are good 

 weights for Down mutton. Quality is very highly esteemed 

 amongst the majority of breeders, and the general experience of 

 this district is that if extra weight is gained by a sacrifice of 

 quality it is purchased too dearly. Even on the poor land they 

 care not how heavy they can get their sheep, provided they can 

 keep their quality. 



The introduction of the South Down blood has been tried very 

 extensively, and some breeders have got their flocks exceed- 

 ingly tender by doing so ; unless done witt great care and 

 judgment it produces no advantage, but simply decreases the 

 weight and hardiness. The same may be said in a more 

 marked degree of the cross from the Leicester. The cross-bred 

 stock have been generally considered, not only to consume as 

 much food, but they do not make such heavy sheep nor are they 

 so prolific. 1 have been favoured by Mr. Kettle, of Dallicott, 

 with the weighings of some pure Shropshire Downs, and also 

 half-bred Leicester and Shropshire Down which he fattened, and 

 they confirm this general impression. On the 4th of April 

 (when nearly 14 months old) they were weighed. 



lbs. lbs. 



The 5 Shropshire Downs weighed 715 = 143 each. 



The 5 Cross-bred Shropshire and Leicester .. 684 = 137 each. 



They were kept alike up to the following December and then 

 weighed : — ■ 



The Shropshire Downs. lbs. | Shropshire and Leicester. lbs. 



Average in December . . 202 | Average in December . . 189^ 

 Average in April .. .. 143 Average in April .. .. 137 



Gain 59 i Gain ., .. 52 



This proves the growth to be less rapid throughout the entire 

 period, and what is even more surprising, the half-breds cut less 

 wool than the Shropshire Downs. 



The quality of the Shropshire Down wool is exceedingly good, 

 and the fleeces average a good weight. Mr. Greed, of Marlow, 

 cut a fleece 12^ lbs., which on being sent to the Paris Exhi- 

 bition, carried off the first prize. The fleeces from ewes average 

 from 5 lbs. to 8 lbs ; wethers fifteen months old cut 7 lbs. to 

 8 lbs.; yearling rams 8 lbs. to 12 lbs. Some rams cut 14 lbs., 



