EAST OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER. 583 



surface of Cannock Chase and its good climate favor a heavier heath 

 sheep than occurs elsewhere, and that the original sheep had a short 

 light fleece of about 3 pounds, and a carcass which might be fattened 

 at three years old to eight or nine stone, and that their descendants, 

 crossed by the Southdowns, whilst retaining the same hardy character, 

 are much larger, mature earlier, yield a heavy fleece, and a frame weigh- 

 ing ten stone at thirteen months without extraordinary treatment. 

 Stafford adjoins Shropshire. Southdown rams were brought into both 

 about the same time and crossed with native ewes ; the produce crossed 

 on each other, and thus the Cannock Chase blood became infused in 

 the improved Shropshire Down. 



These facts are held to be conclusive by many, that it is to the South- 

 down chiefly, though not entirely, that the present form and character 

 of the Shropshire are due; indeed, about the only objection that could 

 be urged against the breed up to 1875 or 1880 was that, although for 

 the twenty years preceding it had received much attention, there was 

 still a lack of uniformity ; but this defect has now almost entirely dis- 

 appeared, as breeders are at last tolerably agreed as to the particular 

 type that is most desirable. " The variety," says John Coleman, " could 

 only be accounted for by the supposition that different crosses in differ- 

 ent proportions had been tried ; and we think there is no doubt this had 

 been the case." 



The disputed origin of the Shropshire has elicited much controversy. 

 We have stated the position occupied by leading men on either side, 

 thinking, however, with some of them, that the differences of opinion 

 appear very unimportant ; for if the Shropshire is not an original breed, 

 it is very certain that it is an established breed, and that its character 

 and peculiarities can be perpetuated most satisfactorily. In fact, the 

 rapidity with which this breed has risen into favor is very strong evi- 

 dence of the general estimation in which it is held. Only a few years 

 since any mention of the Shropshire Down raised an inquiry, even 

 amongst intelligent English agriculturists, as to their character. Now 

 it is known as a sheep combining the symmetry and quality of the 

 Southdown with the weight of the Cotswold, and possessing the fat- 

 tening tendency of the Leicester, without its delicate constitution. 



Economical merit is usually promptly recognized in England, but it 

 was not until 1853 that this was the case with Shropshire sheep, and 

 then but partially. In that year, when they were exhibited at the Eoyal 

 show-yard at Gloucester, their general superiority was apparent, and 

 from that time breeders were awakened to use careful judgment in 

 breeding and selecting flocks, which gradually brought them to the 

 front. At the great national show in 1857, at Salisbury, England, 

 sweepstake prizes were awarded to Shropshire rams "Celebrity," 

 " Patentee," and " Earl of Salisbury." But a great impetus was given 

 to Shropshire breeders when the Eoyal Agricultural Society recognized 



