SHEEP HUSBANDRY. 365 



greaxest weight of fleece. Medium wool is generally in greater demand 

 than fine wool, and it is more profitably produced. Two to three inches 

 is probably the most desirable length of fleece for profit. A change, 

 however, is taking place in this respect, since the practice of combing 

 Merino wool has become general, and three iticheu and over is a fre- 

 quently desired length of fiber. It is not desirable to have the face cov- 

 ered with wool long enough to fold up in the fleece. If the eyes are 

 covered with such wool, the sheep is either blinded, or the wool must be 

 kept clipped close. The ears should be small, with a coat of soft mossy 

 hair about half way to the roots, and for the remainder, covered with 

 wool. A naked ear is very objectionable. Evenness in quality in every 

 part of the sheep is very desirable. Hair growing up through the wool 

 on the thighs, the neck-folds, or scattered through the fleece here and 

 there, is not to be allowed. The wool should be sound, that is, of even 

 strength from end to end of the fiber. It should be highly elastic and 

 wrinkled, curved or wavy. The number of these curls, or waves, to the 

 inch, is not so much a test of excellence as their regularity and beanty 

 of curvature. A folding back of the fiber upon itself is not so desirable 

 as a gentler curve. 



Pliancy and Softness. The pliancy and softness to the feeling 

 in handling is an excellent test of quality, so much prized by manufac- 

 turers, that practiced buyers will sometimes form an accurate judgment 

 of a fleece by handling it in the dark with gloved hands." 



Shropshire Sheep. This sheep is undoubtedly the result of a cross 

 between the Cotswold and the "Morfe" sheep. The latter were a sheep 

 that were common in England in the latter part of the last century. The 

 Shropshire vary somewhat, having in some sections the character of a 

 short-wool, while in others it has the character of a medium-wool 

 sheep 



The original sheep was horned, and had a black face, was hardy and 

 not subject to disease, and produced about forty-five pounds of mutton 

 to the carcass, and onlj^ about two pounds 9f wool. 



After a century's breeding, they are now found without horns; thick 

 necks; small, fine head, with a dark face; a good, round body; straight 

 back; broad, deep breast; and clean, dark legs. 



They are very hardy, thrive well on a moderate amount of food, are 

 easily and quickly fattened, and at two years will produce eighty to one 

 hundred pounds of mutton. The wool has increased, and weighs 

 seven pounds per fleece. The ewes are good mothers and very prolific. 



