SHEEP. 279 



an upland sheep, they thrive equally well in lower sections, and are much in favor in many 

 of the Southern States, as well as other portions of the country. They are used for crossing 

 with the native sheep with good success. 



Hampshires, sometimes called Hampshiredowns, as they belong to the family of 

 Downs (or sheep that are natives of the downs of England), are an old and well-established 

 breed, much resembling the Southdowns in general appearance, having the dark-colored face 

 and legs characteristic of that breed, but are considerably larger than the latter. They are 

 of a good constitution, hardy, possess an aptitude to fatten with a smaller amount of food 

 than some breeds, mature early, and are good wool bearers; the average weight of the fleece 

 being from five to six pounds, the wool being of fine quality and medium staple. The 

 average yield of lambs is said by those familiar with the breed to be about ninety-one per 

 cent, per annum, and the mortality of the ewes five and one-half per cent., the above average 

 being from statistics of 10,000 Hampshires for three successive years. Like all the Down 

 breeds, the Hampshires herd well, and a larger flock can be kept together than the larger, 

 long-wooled varieties, while they are valuable for crossing with the native sheep and grades 

 of our country. 



SHROPSHIRES. 



THE Shropshire is another branch of the Down family, partaking of the general 

 characteristics of the Southdown, although much heavier both in fleece and body, and 

 also much more robust. It is said to be the most prolific of all breeds, the average rate 

 of increase in some flocks of pure Shropshires often being 150 per cent., while the product 

 from the cross of the Shropshire ram on half-bred, long- wool ewes frequently reaches 200 per 

 cent. Of course the increase in any breed is materially modified by the nature of the land, 

 quantity and quality of food, and the general care and management of the flock, and no 

 greater mistake can be made with regard to sheep husbandry than in supposing that heavy 

 fleeces, good mutton, and a large number of strong, healthy lambs can be produced from 

 barren land and scanty food. No animal whatever can thrive without a good supply of 

 proper food. 



We know of one instance of remarkable prolificacy in this breed, where a Shropshire 

 ewe belonging to a small flock of about thirty sheep in the County of Waterford, Ireland, 

 produced jive lambs at one birth, and all of them strong and healthy! This is of course a 

 remarkable case, and its like would probably not occur in many thousand instances, although 

 twins, and triplets even, are very common with ewes of this breed. Mr. Samuel Smith, of 

 Hinsdale, N. H., recently raised three lambs from a Shropshire ewe, which he sold for $18, 

 and the wool of the ewe for $1.50, making the total profit derived $19.50. The prolific 

 tendency of the Shropshire is a point of great importance with the breeder, as it materially 

 increases the profits in furnishing early lambs for the market. They are also good mothers, 

 and generally have an abundance of milk for their young, in this respect differing from many 

 of the large breeds. 



&quot;We give the subjoined relative to this breed from the London Field, which is considered 

 good authority on all subjects of stock raising: 



&quot; The Shropshire sheep, though of comparatively recent origin, are at the present widely 

 spread and much valued. On a small farm, we purchase every autumn, forty Banffshire 

 ewes a description of border Leicester, with a slight Cheviot cross and serve them with 

 a Shropshire ram. Last year thirty-six ewes produced seventy-eight lambs, all sold fat. 



