Photo by Hills. 



Sliropsliire r;im. Ringleader, a frequent prize winner and stock ram at 

 the head of the Altamout flock, owned by Dr. G. Howard Davidson, Mill- 

 brook, N. Y. 



DESCRIPTION OF THE SHROPSHIRE SHEEP 



I'^HIS BREED having its home in the Downs of England is very symmetrical and 

 stylish in form. The head should show refinement inevery feature with mod- 

 erate length. A characteristic attribute is for it to be closely covered with wool, 

 the cap between the ears being dense running to the bridge of the nose and joining 

 that which covers the cheek and lower part of the head. The ears should be far 

 apart, pointed and moderate in thickness and preferably covered to the tip with 

 fine curly wool. There should not be the least evidence of horns as the places 

 where these sometimes appear should be covered with wool. The neck should be 

 nicely attached and full and of sufficient length to carry the head with peculiar 

 style. The body to possess this cliaracteristic smoothness and symmetry must be 

 somewhat circular and round ribbed. Tlie back should be straight, strong and knit 

 so that the handling of this part sliows it to be smooth and evenly covered. The 

 loin must be wide and hips not prominent and the quarters lengtliy and deep, the 

 width from the loin and hips should be carried out to the tail head and the fullness 

 characteristic of this part should be maintained on the outside of the thigh and on 

 the inside as well, making the twist not only deep but plump with flesh. The fleece 

 should be strong and fine in fiber with all the density possible. From the bridge of 

 the nose to the fetlocl< as well as along the belly, a dense covering of wool is desir- 

 able. In opening the fleece the fibers, which are generally about tliree inches long, 

 should part readily, show clear white in strong contrast to the pink skin. About 

 the ears or top of the head there should be no patches of black fiber nor should 

 these appear distributed anywhere in the fleece. The characteristic markings for 

 the face and legs are a rich dark brown in color. The best type of this breed shows 

 an unusual combination of quality and quantity of both wool and mutton. See 

 oflQcial scale of points, page 133. 



