SHEEP AND GOATS 247 



slaughtered. Several breeds were used in the early improve- 

 ment of Shropshire sheep, but for many years they have been 

 bred pure. 



The face, ears, and legs of Shropshires are usually black or 

 dark brown. The face is usually almost entirely covered 

 with wool, this being a distinguishing mark. They have no 

 horns. Sheep of this breed are above medium size, rams 

 averaging about 225 pounds and ewes 160 pounds. The 

 wool is distributed over the body evenly and close. The 

 fleece will average ten to twelve pounds in weight, and is 

 medium fine in quality. The mutton of the Shropshire is 

 excellent in quality and large in quantity. 



Although Shropshires were not imported into the United 

 States until about 1860, they are now probably more numer- 

 ous than any other breed. Several things have tended to 

 make them popular with farmers and sheep-raisers: (1) Their 

 general-purpose character, being good producers of both 

 wool and mutton; (2) the ewes often give birth to two lambs, 

 so that the shepherd's flock increases rapidly in number; 

 (3) they are useful for improving native sheep; (4) the lambs 

 mature early, that is, are soon ready for market. 



The Southdown originally came from south-eastern Eng- 

 land. In that region there is a range of low, chalky hills called 

 the South Downs and from these the breed takes its name. 

 The improvement of the breed was begun long ago. Many 

 English noblemen have been noted as breeders of Southdown 

 sheep; even King Edward VII has a fine flock. 



The Southdown is the smallest of the English breeds that 

 have been brought to America, rams weighing 175 pounds and 

 ewes 135 pounds. The face, ears, and legs are grayish- 

 brown or reddish-brown, always lighter-colored than Shrop- 



