Ill 



SHROPSHIRE 



This is ihe most popular of all the Down breeds of 

 sheep. In 1S.VJ it was recognized in England as a distinct 

 l>r<r<l and was permitted to compete in the shows as such. 



On Morfe Common near Brignbrth, England, there 

 was found a small, black-faced horned variety of sheep that 

 did not shear over two pounds of wool per head. From 

 this strain the present Shropshire was originated. The 

 Southdown breed was used to give them quality of body and 

 wool and the Leicester was used to produce 'size. By us- 

 ing these two hornless breeds of sheep and by rigid selec- 

 tion I lie horns have been eliminated. 



The Shropshire is a medium sized sheep, dark colorea 

 face and logs, has a dense fleece of comparatively fine wool 

 which is longer in staple than that of the Southdown, is 

 hardy and very prolific under our conditions. 



Rlark spots on the skin and black wool are objection- 

 able among the pure breds. The breed characteristics of 

 the lambs coming from crossing this breed and the com- 

 mon ewe were not so prominent as they were in the lambs 

 sired by the Cotswold and Kambouillet rams. 



