350 THE SHEEP OP GREAT BBITAIN. 



The character of the wool is of great importance, especially 

 where the climate is moist. An open condition of wool is to be 

 deprecated ; the staple should be fine and close, with which a 

 good weight is quite possible. Although capable of making 

 considerable weight upon good keep, we do not consider the 

 Shropshires can mature so rapidly as such breeds as Leicester 

 or Cotswold ; the closer texture of meat requires a longer time 

 to deposit. With ordinary management the shearlings are 

 brought to market during the summer off grass, when their 

 quality and moderately small weight render them very suitable 

 to the season. 



