THE SHROPSHIRE 603 



and greatly circumscribed the limits of the horned Dorsets 

 ... It has extended into Herefordshire, and partly into 

 Devonshire and the lower parts of Wales, and northwards 

 even to Westmorland and Cumberland. But, beyond the 

 limits of the true chalk, or of the calcareous districts in 

 contact with the chalk, it is only found occupying tracts of 

 narrow extent, or is employed as a means of improving the 

 flocks of the heaths, commons, or other tracts which are still 

 occupied by races of small short-woolled sheep." Prior to 

 1814 there was a premium upon the breeding of short- wools 

 to supply the home demand for the manufacture of woollen 

 cloth, a market which was lost to the home producer, when, 

 on the advent of peace, Europe and Australia sent increasing 

 quantities of merino wool, which was finer, and proved to be 

 more suitable for the purpose. From that time forward the 

 larger long-woolled sheep of the lower country have extended 

 and displaced many of the short-woolled varieties, or in certain 

 cases become mingled with them. 



The Southdown Flock Book is published annually by the 

 Southdown Sheep Society (incorporated). Vol. xv. was 

 issued in 1906 the tenth by the Society. Vols. i. to v. were 

 brought out by the Southdown Sheep Breeders' Association. 

 The Society encourages breeding by offering substantial 

 money prizes, or gold and silver medals, for Southdown 

 classes at the leading shows. 



The Shropshire is a medium-sized breed, and is the 

 most cosmopolitan of all the Downs, owing to the thick 

 and uniform cover of flesh on its back when handled for 

 the butcher at any age ; its hardiness of constitution and 

 tendency to early maturity ; its wonderful adaptability to 

 many differing soils and climates ; its- unique success in 

 crossing with sheep of almost any pure breed, or the common 

 mongrels which constitute a large proportion of the sheep 

 population of the world ; its fairly heavy fleece of good 

 bright wool ; the superior quality of its mutton, and to 

 some extent the darkness of the hair of the face and legs, 

 which in common with similar darkness in other breeds 

 is generally held as an indication of superior quality of 

 mutton. Over 2000 registered Shropshires were exported 

 during 1906 to the following countries: Australia, New 



