70 SHEEP I BREEDS AND MANAGEMENT. 



There is a good demand for Oxfordshire sheep for America 

 and the British Colonies. The breed is also extending in this 

 country, and its classes are usually very numerously filled at 

 the great agricultural meetings. As the remark has been 

 made by a practical man that Oxfordshire and Shropshire 

 sheep are so alike that when classed together at earlier meet- 

 ings of the R-oyal, " many considered them one kind of sheep," 

 I will point out the characteristic difference which close in- 

 spection will reveal. The Oxfordshire head is longer, and the 

 profile is bolder and slightly more Roman and fine ; the 

 Oxfordshire ear is long and thin, whereas the Shropshire has 

 a shorter and rounder ear. The Oxford carries himself a little 

 more gaily and sprightly, and his wool is rather longer and 

 looser than that of the Shropshire. The wool on the head of 

 the Oxford is longer, and more of the flowing nature of a fore- 

 lock. That of the Shropshire sheep is closer, fitting like a 

 continuous cap or helmet. 



SHROPSHIRE SHEEP. 



Midland farmers are justified in the pride with which they 

 regard Shropshire sheep. These sheep are humorously said 

 by their admirers to be so thrifty that in looking for grass 

 they turn the stones over which lie scattered on the surface of 

 clover fields. This statement is not intended to be received as 

 a fact, but as one of those hyperbolic expressions which far- 

 mers love to employ. I once heard a gentleman descanting on 

 the merits of Shropshire sheep over two hurdles in the show- 

 yard of the Royal Agricultural Society. He was standing on 

 a lower bar of the hurdle, and was thus raised a little above his 

 audience. He said, "It is a farmer's sheep, a rent-paying 

 sheep, a tenant's sheep. It is a money-making, wool-produc- 

 ing, mutton-carrying sheep. It's a bank, a save-all, a frugal 

 living and quick fattening, hardy sheep." This was Mr. 

 Preece, of Shrewsbury, and he was full of his subject and in 

 entire sympathy with his hearers. We wish to give every 



