556 SHEEP 



breed to go into New Hampshire, to P. W. Jones of Amherst. 

 Shropshires were exhibited at the New York State Fair at Elmira, 

 in 1 86 1, including the ram Gratitude, that had been shown the 

 year previous at the Royal Agricultural Society Show at Canter- 

 bury, England. In 1862 P. Lorillard of Fordham, New York, also 

 had a flock, and in 1868 L. C. Fish of Otego, New York, began 

 breeding them. About 1875 the first Shropshires were brought 

 from Canada to Michigan by Mrs. Ann Newton of Pontiac. In 

 1880 this breed was advertised by J. A. Brown & Son of Decatur, 

 Illinois. Along in the eighties numerous importations were made 

 into Indiana, Illinois, and Michigan, and the breed became well 



FIG. 255. The champion pen of Shropshire yearling ewes at the Royal Agricul- 

 tural Society of England Show, 1897. Bred and exhibited by T. Bowen-Jones, 

 Shrewsbury, England. From photograph by the author 



distributed. The World's Columbian Exposition Show at Chicago 

 in 1893 excited much interest in the Shropshire and greatly 

 stimulated importation, and large numbers of these sheep were 

 brought to America in the next few years. 



Characteristics of the Shropshire. This breed is of the medium- 

 wool class and is somewhat heavier and larger than the Southdown. 

 The face, ears, and legs are usually a dark brown or blackish brown, 

 although prior to 1900 they were often grayish brown of face. 

 There may be some variations in color, and steel gray is often 

 found in accredited flocks, though it is not popular. A light rusty 

 brown of a faded reddish shade or spotted markings may disqualify. 

 The head is hornless and is slightly larger than the Southdown, 

 and in the best specimens is covered with a striking cap of wool 

 even to the nostrils, covering all but a small part of the nose. The 

 ears should be small, short, and moderately broad, and be well 

 covered with short, fine wool. Shropshire ears are often bare of 



