MODERN SHEEP I BREEDS AND MANAGEMENT. 



21 



Meire's stock, the great characteristic of all his sheep being quality. 

 No man took more pride than Mr. Smith in his flock, so long as 

 his health permitted. We visited the farm in the autumn of 1864, 

 during very dry weather, and found everything burnt up, not- 

 withstanding, the ewes were in excellent condition. They were on 

 some dried-up seeds, without any water, yet looking uncommonly 

 healthy ; small in appearance, as compared with some flocks, because 

 closer to the ground ; they were thick, proofy sheep, with straight 

 backs, oblique shoulders, and big rumps quality, aptitude to feed, 



Low-Down, Bullet-Type of Shropshire Ram. Bred by Sir Richard Cooper, England. 



and true form were unmistakable. The color was dark gray, with 

 flat foreheads ; the legs black. Later on, both the Kinver Hill and 

 Button Haddock flocks were altered in character by the influence 

 of the Oxfordshire blood." 



Mr. Adney bred the great ram "Buckskin" a descendant 

 from a Southdown cross. This great ram has been described as 

 possessing a rather flat head of gray character. "Old Patentee" 

 was a son of "Buckskin," his dam a twin ewe, bred by Mr. Adney. 

 "Old Patentee" did not favor his sire, having a large, plain and 

 quite dark head. As a stock getter he was a wonder, and it is con- 

 sidered every English flock of note has the influence of his blood in 

 it. The enemies of Mr. Adney declared he sold more rams than he 

 bred, and that he bought where he could the material he furnished. 



