418 THE SHEEP OF GREAT BRITAIN. 



The accompanying illustration by Mr. Harrison "Weir 

 represents the prize aged ram of the Eadnor breed exhibited in 

 1872 at the Eoyal Agricultural Society's Show held at Cardiff, 

 and also one of the prize ewes at the same exhibition. The 

 former were shown by Mr. J. E. Paramore, of Preswylfa, Neath, 

 and the latter by Mr. William Dalton, of Cardiff, one of a pen 

 of five ewes bred by Mr. William Wilson, of Kington. These 

 two exhibitors, along with Mr. Edward Farr, of Pilleth, 

 Knighton, were the only prize-takers in the class for Eadnor 

 sheep at the show. Some of the rams exhibited had horns, but 

 others of improved strains were, like the one here represented, 

 hornless. Indeed, what is called the improved Eadnor hao not 

 been reduced to a fixed type, the different breeders producing 

 flocks each after his own fashion and ideal. The general rule is 

 to cross with the Shropshire Down for quality of flesh, and with 

 the Leicester s or other long-wooUed sheep for weight of fleece — 

 in both cases adding to the size and weight of the original 

 breed. When, therefore^ one uses the term "improved" 

 Eadnors, it cannot be said that one invariable type is indicated. 

 The Eadnor sheep are evidently in a transition state. It 

 remains for some breeder to advance so far before his fellows in 

 developing the breed that a fixed type shall be established, 

 having a uniform and distinct character. The material to work 

 on forms a good foundation ; and the further improvement of 

 the Eadnor sheep is a praiseworthy effort worthy the attention 

 of local breeders. 



