MUTTON BREEDS 49 



when the breed seems really to have reached its ulti- 

 mate perfection. It would certainly be difficult to 

 suggest any desirable modification of the well-bred 

 Shropshire ? s_ form, fleece or character. The breed 

 is perhaps the most popular in the world today and 

 has the largest number of registering breeders. 



The Shropshire is a medium-sized sheep, rams 

 weighing from 175 to 225 pounds, and ewes 125 to 



wm 



FARM TRAINING FOR THE SHOW-RING. 



170 pounds. They shear well, considerably better 

 than the Southdown, and the wool is of excellent 

 quality. The lambs fatten well and should go to 

 market from their mothers' sides, else they may 

 reach too great weights for the top of the market. 



The Shropshire ideal in form is close to that of 

 the Southdown, with a little greater size and a dark- 

 er head and legs, though not so dark as the Hamp- 

 shire or Oxford Downs. The fleece is longer than 



