MUTTON BREEDS. 39 



pretty well defined ideal had by 1853 resulted 

 in fixing a type and it was then advised that 

 the Eoyal Agricultural Society recognize them 

 as a distinct breed. Since that time they 

 have gone steadily forward in improvement 

 and this is especially notable in recent years, 

 when the breed seems really to' have reached 

 its ultimate perfection. It would certainly 

 be difficult to suggest any desirable modifica- 

 tion of the well bred Shropshire's form, fleece 

 or character. The breed is perhaps the most 

 popular in the world today and has the larg- 

 est number of registering breeders. 



The Shropshire is a medium-sized sheep, 

 rams weighing from 175 to 225 lbs. and ewes 

 125 to 170 lbs. Th©y shear well, considerably 

 better than the Southdown, and the wool is 

 of excellent quality. The lambs fatten well 

 and should go to market ^om their mothers ' 

 sides, else they may reach too great weights 

 for the top of the market. 



The Shropshire ideal in fonn is close to that 

 of the Southdown, with a little greater size 

 and a darker head and legs, though not so 

 dark as the Hampshire or Oxford Downs. The 

 fleece is longer than in the Southdown and is 

 not usually so close-set or dense. Certainly 

 there is no more beautiful sight than a well 

 bred and well kept flock of Shropshires, the 

 fine matronly ewes with their white fleeces set 

 off by the brown of heads, ears and legs. Their 

 mutton is perhaps not quite so good as the 

 Southdown, but there is not much difference 

 in this respect, and they are equally prolific, 



