SHROPSHIRE SHEEP. 343 



alone, and Mr. Meire introduced the Southdowns, buying or 

 hiring rams from the late Mr. J. Ellmann, of Glynde. Aptitude 

 to feed, with the short back and chine, were derived from a 

 cross of Leicester blood introduced with great judgment. 

 Having thus obtained what he desired, Mr. Meire endeavoured 

 to fix the same by close breeding. That his sheep possessed 

 much constitutional vigour is proved by the history of his 

 celebrated ram. Magnum Bonum, who served for eleven seasons, 

 his da.m living to be twenty years old. He was the sire of Per- 

 fection, used by Mr. Foster, of Kinver Hill, which got the first 

 prize shearling at Chester. At the same show Mr. Foster 

 secured both prizes for ewes ; the first-prize pen bred by Mr. 

 Meire, and described in catalogue " as two 11 years 3 months 

 and 2 weeks old, two 9 years 3 months and 2 weeks old, and one 

 7 years 3 months and 2 weeks old ; pen of five Shropshire 

 Down ewes, dark brown face and legs." The fact that such 

 aged ewes could be brought up in such condition as to beat 

 blooming shearlings is a proof of constitutional vigour. In 

 1853, at G-loucester, Mr. Foster and Mr. Meire secured all the 

 prizes, and every sheep was descended from Mr. Meire' s stock. 

 When Mr. Meire gave up the Berrington farm he brought a 

 few choice ewes to Harley ; the number, we believe, never 

 exceeded forty. The first year's sale of rams averaged 12 

 guineas for fourteen sheep, the second 26 guineas. Ill-health 

 soon compelled him to give up ram breeding ; he preferred 

 rather light uniform-tinted features, and went for close wool 

 and quality rather than size. Mr. Henry Smith's flock, of 

 Sutton Maddock, which was so well known at one time, was at 

 first principally descended from Mr. Meire' s stock, the great 

 characteristic of all his sheep being quality. No man took more 

 pride than Mr. Smith in his flock, so long as his health per- 

 mitted. We visited the farm in the autumn of 1864, during 

 very dry weather, and found everything burnt up; notwith- 

 standing, the ewes were in excellent condition. They were on 

 some dried-up seeds, without any water, yet looking uncommonly 

 healthy. Small in appearance as compared with some flocks, 

 because closer to the ground, they were thick proofy sheep, 

 with straight backs, oblique shoulders, and big rumps — quality, 

 aptitude to feed, and true form, were unmistakable. The colour 



