346 THE SHEEP OF GEEAT BRITAIN. 



In 1872, at the dispersion of a Staffordshire flock, one pen of 

 ewes made an average of 23 guineas ; a few years since such 

 figures would have appeared fabulous. In the year 1864, and, 

 we have no doubt, on subsequent occasions, Messrs. Crane's 

 ewes were sold as high as 8 and 9 guineas each. The Shrews- 

 bury and Birmingham sales have become of late years largely 

 attended, and great numbers of sheep change hands. 



It would be impossible for us in the limits of a single article 

 to attempt even an enumeration of the breeders who have 

 assisted to make these sheep famous. Confining our attention 

 to the county, we have at the present time two men who 

 deservedly stand somewhat in advance of the ruck — viz., Mr. 

 Evans, of Ufiington, and Mr. Mansell, of Adcott. Both have 

 been careful to establish in their flocks uniform character, and 

 the type is now recognised as much what should be aimed at. 

 "We are not sufficiently acquainted with the origin of either 

 flock to describe the steps by which they attained their present 

 high position. At the Wolverhampton show in 1871 certain 

 extra prizes were offered, and the class was made peculiarly 

 attractive — not in vain, as no less than 542 sheep were shown, 

 and, notwithstanding some necessary roughness, the quality, on 

 the whole, has never been surpassed. Probably the first prize 

 shearling of Mr. T. Byrd's was rather a lucky one, as the 

 character of the flock from which it sprang does not rank high, 

 and it was far from a perfect animal. Mr. Mansell, who grew 

 its sire, took the second place with a very superior sheep, which 

 many thought the best animal. In the class for old sheep — one 

 of the best we have seen — Mr. Mansell's two-shear was first, 

 notwithstanding serious defects as to wool and colour. Mr. 

 Evans here came second. His sheep was a magnificent specimen, 

 and rightly placed, if only he would work, but his legs were 

 gummy. At Cardiff, in a much smaller class, Lord Chesham's 

 shearling, which took the first prize, was by Mansell's No. 8. 

 Mr. Evans only here succeeded to third honours. In the better 

 class for old sheep Mr. Mansell achieved a decided success, 

 securing first and second prizes ; his sheep, though somewhat 

 dissimilar in type, were equally admirable. The first-prize 

 sheep (a two-shear) was a remarkable animal, almost perfect, 

 barring a rather short quarter. The second animal was much 



