266 SHROPSHIRES. 



wool is close set, finer and longer in staple. In addition to this brief 

 outline, we give place to the complete description of a typical animal, 

 adopted in connection with Scale of Points by the American Shropshire 

 Association (Mortimer Levering of Lafayette, Ind., secretary), and ap- 

 pearing in Volume I. of the American Shropshire Record: 



"Constitution and quality, indicated by form of body ; deep and large in breast and 

 through the heart ; back wide, straight, and well covered with lean meat or muscle ; wide 

 and full in the thigh ; deep in flank ; skin thick but soft and of a pink color ; prominent, 

 brilliant eyes and healthful countenance. 



" In fair condition when fully matured, rams should weigh not less than 225 pounds 

 and ewes not less than 175 pounds. 



' ' General appearance and character : Good carriage ; head well up ; elastic move 

 ment, showing great symmetry of form and uniformity of character throughout. 



"Body well proportioned, medium bones, great scale and length, well finished hind 

 quarters, thick back and loins, twist deep and full, standing with legs well placed outside, 

 breast wide and extending well forward. 



' ' Head short and broad ; wide between ears and between eyes ; short from top of 

 head to tip of nose ; ears short, of medium size ; eyes expressive ; head should be well 

 covered with wool to a point even with the eyes, without any appearance of horns ; color 

 of face, dark brown. 



"Neck Medium length, good bone and muscular development, and especially with 

 he rams, heavier tow ard the shoulders, well set high up, and rising from that point to th 

 back of the head. 



"Legs Broad, short, straight, well set apart, well shaped, color dark brown, and 

 well wooled to the knees. 



"Body, head, belly and legs to knees well covered with fleece of even length and 

 quality ; scrotum of rams well covered with wool. 



"Wool medium, such as known in our markets as 'medium delaine' and 'half 

 combing wool,' strong, fine, lustrous fiber, without tendency to mat or felt together, and 

 at one year's growth not less than three and one-half inches in length." 



Scale of Points for Shropshires, to be used in connection with 

 above description : 



Constitution 25 Forward 70 



Size 10 Neck 5 



General appearance 10 Legs and Feet . . . 10 



Body 10 Fleece 10 



Head 15 Quality of Wool 5 



Forward 70 Perfection 100 



The association has already published eight volumes of the Record, 

 comprising a total of 52,000 individual animals, and representing 1,050 

 owners and active members of the association. 



The Shopshires are especially fitted, by conditions under which 

 they have been reared, for moist or even wet localities. That they will 

 do remarkably well on the dry range of the Southwest we are con- 

 strained to doubt, but Shropshire rams for use in grading up the middle 

 wools already on the range are giving satisfaction. What more could 

 be asked ? 



