MODERN SHEEP: BREEDS AND MANAGEMENT. 17 



which there is no class at the Royal, bring the number up to 

 a much larger total only about half of which has been tried, to 

 any extent, in this country. The British breeds of sheep are 

 divided into two classes Downs and Longwools. Those of the 

 former class which are popular with us are the Shropshires, Ox- 

 fords, Hampshires, Southdowns and Suffolks, ranking in popu- 

 larity about as listed. Among the Longwool breeds which have 

 received attention from American and Canadian fanciers are the 

 Cotswolds, Lincolns and Leicesters. These are large, attractive 

 looking sheep specimens of the two first mentioned, and perhaps 

 the last, having tipped the scales at over 500 pounds. Most all 

 of the British breeds have associations to promote their interests. 

 The value of ordinary breeding stock of the different breeds does 

 not vary to any very appreciable extent; especially is this true of 

 the females. For instance, the cost of a yearling ewe or a two- 

 year-old ewe of the Shropshire breed would be similar to that of 

 a ewe of the other breeds of similar age and .quality. Show and 

 stud animals of the various .breeds vary more in price, however. 

 In their native land the Lincolns hold the record price for stud 

 rams. Good healthy breeding ewes of the British breeds can be 

 bought in this country at prices ranging from $1.5 to $40 per 

 head. A fairly good stud ram of the different breeds can be 

 procured from $75 up. Those suitable only for crossing or grad- 

 ing purposes go at much less figures. The British mutton breeds 

 are very prolific, frequently giving birth to twins, sometimes trip- 

 lets and occasionally quartets. A well managed flock should, in 

 a favorable season, give an increase of at least 125 per cent. 



THE SHROPSHIRE. 



The modern Shropshire is a beautiful creation and a living 

 monument to the flockmasters' skill. Luster is added to its beauty 

 by the profit it returns where good management is in evidence. 

 Utility, as is sometimes the case with other "things of beauty," -has 

 not been sacrificed for beauty's sake alone. A 

 more universal charm than the Shropshire does 

 not exist in livestock breeding circles. No mat- 

 ter in what direction our eyes are turned on 

 the live stock breeders' horizon, Shropshire ap- 

 pears in indelible characters. What is more 

 charming or seductive than a well-bred, well- 

 fed Shropshire yearling ewe ? That charmingly- 

 finished outline; that proud, yet graceful car- 

 riage ; that aristocratic pose purely Shropshire 

 Mr A E Manseii as ^ ^ s that sca ^ e an( ^ plumpness of f orm ; 

 superb skin and fleece; that sweet and smiling 

 countenance; that well-bonneted head and somewhat heavily- 

 veiled face; that shortness of leg, wealth of flesh, spring of rib, 



