Shropshire ram, RINGLEADER, a frequent prize winner arid stock ram 

 at the head of the Altanionl Hock, owned by Dr. G. Howard Davidson, 

 Mill brook, N. Y. 



DESCRIPTION OF THE SHROPSHIRE SHEEP. 



THIS BREED having- its home in the Downs of England is very symmetrical 

 and stylish in form. The head should show refinement in every feature 

 with moderate 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 evi- 

 dence 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 char- 

 acteristic smoothness and symmetry must be somewhat circular and round 

 ribbed. The back should be straight, strong- and knit so that the handling of 

 this part shows it to be smooth and evenly covered. The loin must be wide 

 and hips not prominent and the quarters lengthy 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 pos- 

 sible. From the bridge of the nose to the fetlock as well as along the belly, 

 a dense covering of wool is desirable. In opening the fleece the fibers, which 

 are generally about three 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 any- 

 where 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 official 

 scale of points, page 131!. 



