60 



Agriculture of Shropshire. 



J)ut tills excessive weight is, in general, accompanied with a 

 coarseness which depreciates the value of the fleece. As far 

 back as the fourteenth century we find the Shropshire wool con- 

 sidered the choicest and dearest in England. Smith* gives the 

 lollovvins: statement : — 



To the Staple for Home Use. 



Per sack. Per stone. Per sack. Per stone. 



Salop 



, , includiDg Leicester i 

 Nottingham .. .. 

 "^'ork and Rutland . . ' 



Derby 



Cumberland and We?t-1 

 moreland / 



£. s. d. 



G 6 4 



5 G 8 



4 13 4 



4 10 



•■i ■" 4 



s. d. 

 .5 9 

 4 2 



2 i; 



£. s. d. 



7 G 4 



G 8 



.5 1.3 4 



5 10 



4 .■! 3 



s. d. 



5 9 



4 11 



4 4 



4 21 



3 2" 



1-t 4 I 2 10 



I'ur Exportation. 



Per sack. Per stone 



£. s. d. 

 9 6 4 

 8 6 

 7 13 4 



6 3 

 .5 13 



10 

 3 4 



s. d. 



7 3:i 



6 ?,S 



T) \V\ 



.5 9' 



4 8A 



2 U 



Subsequently, in a work published in 1G94, it is stated, " Our 

 Shropshire wool is not to be equalled in its kind bv any part of 

 the world and is suitable to almost any degree of quality." As 

 I have shown above, it still holds a very high position for 

 quality. The weight of the fleece is very dependent upon the 

 keep, but at no time of the year is the influence of good food 

 greater than in the spring, when the days lengthen and the sheep 

 again commence their growth. Improvement of the food at this 

 time has a very marked influence, although it cannot overcome 

 the effect of previous scarcity. 



The ewes generally commence lambing from the middle of 

 February to March. A few breeders may be earlier, but this is 

 only found to answer when extra care and protection can be given 

 to them. As a rule lambs dropped between the 1st and 14th of 

 March are found as forward as those born between February 14th 

 and March 1st, especially if the early season is unfavourable. 

 The late lambs then make a good start, whereas the early 

 lambs are often checked and never afterwards go on so rapidly. 

 When it is desirable to have lambs early it is especially necessary 

 to give them comfortable shelter, and even for the later lambs 

 it is not only more humane but also more remunerative. The 

 lambs are generally weaned in the middle of June, and then they 

 go on good clover, upon which, with an occasional change to a 

 piece of vetches, they are kept until ready to go upon rape or 

 early turnips in the autumn. When they have swedes these are 

 cut for them, and they also have access to hay, which keeps them 



'Chron. Rusticum,' published 1C41. 

 ' The Interest of England,' p. 4. 



